The union called the action the largest nursing strike in New York City history, and picketing continued into a second day as negotiations remained stalled. City health officials and hospital leaders warned the walkout could create service bottlenecks and signed emergency measures to stabilize staffing. Union leaders framed such actions as efforts to intimidate staff and suppress organizing at a moment when nurses say patient safety is at stake. Union leaders argue that stable, well-supported nursing staff are essential to reducing disparities in outcomes for low-income and marginalized communities. Hospital executives say preserving operations during a large-scale strike requires temporary measures that can be costly and disruptive.
