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Brooklyn Nurses Set to Strike After 5-Hospital Walkout Authorization

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, December 24th 2025 at 11:53 GMT by Patch

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Brooklyn Nurses Set to Strike After 5-Hospital Walkout Authorization

In a bold move that could ripple across the city’s healthcare system, nurses in Brooklyn have officially authorized a walkout at five major hospitals. The decision, ratified by a resounding union vote, is set to take place next week unless an agreement is reached with the hospital administrations. The strike, which would be the largest nursing protest in the borough in more than a decade, underscores the mounting frustration among staff over pay, staffing shortages, and workplace safety.

The Decision That Could Shift the Balance of Care

The article reports that the Brooklyn Nurses Association (BNA), representing over 5,000 staff members, voted overwhelmingly—an 87‑percent approval—to authorize a strike that could last up to two weeks. The decision followed a month‑long negotiation process that stalled after the hospital executives declined to meet the union’s minimum wage increase request and to adopt the proposed staffing ratios.

According to the article, the five hospitals involved are:

1. Brooklyn Hospital Center (BHC)
2. Kings County Hospital Center (KCHC)
3. St. John’s Episcopal Hospital
4. Mount Sinai Brooklyn
5. NYU Langone Brooklyn

These institutions together employ more than 2,000 nurses, making the walkout a significant threat to patient care and hospital operations. The BNA’s executive director, Dr. Maya Nadel, said the walkout was not a punitive action but a necessary step to ensure that nurses receive “fair wages, adequate staffing, and a safe working environment.”

What the Nurses Want

The primary demands of the BNA include:

• A 12‑percent wage increase over the next two years, which they say would bring nurses’ median salary to $87,000—a figure they claim is still below the national average for similar positions in comparable urban settings.
• Implementation of a 1:3 nurse-to-patient ratio in critical care units, which has been linked in studies to lower mortality and higher patient satisfaction.
• Expanded mental‑health support services for nurses, especially those dealing with post‑COVID‑19 trauma and burnout.
• Guaranteed overtime pay and stricter enforcement of labor laws regarding shift length and rest periods.

These demands are in line with national trends: according to a recent survey by the American Nurses Association, 72% of nurses nationwide support similar staffing ratios and pay increases. The BNA has also cited the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines that recommend a 1:4 ratio in general medical/surgical units as a benchmark.

Hospital Administrators Respond

The hospital executives have responded cautiously. A spokesperson for Brooklyn Hospital Center said the institution is “committed to negotiating in good faith” but emphasized that any agreement must protect the hospital’s financial viability. “We are prepared to discuss these concerns, but we must also maintain the quality of care and ensure that we can continue to operate effectively,” the spokesperson added.

Other hospital leaders echoed a similar stance, noting that the facilities have already invested heavily in staff retention programs, including mentorship and professional development courses, but feel the union’s demands may strain their budgets, especially in a climate of rising healthcare costs.

Broader Context: Nursing Strikes Nationwide

The article situates the Brooklyn walkout within a wave of nursing strikes that have swept the United States over the past two years. From Minnesota’s 2019 “Nurses for a Better Workplace” campaign to California’s 2021 “Nurses Unite” strike at Kaiser Permanente, nurses nationwide have leveraged collective bargaining power to demand better conditions.

In particular, the pandemic has amplified nursing shortages, with a recent Kaiser Family Foundation study indicating that the U.S. could lose up to 20% of its nursing workforce if current trends continue. The article highlights that the pandemic’s toll on nurses—both in terms of physical exposure and mental fatigue—has made labor demands more urgent and public support more favorable.

The Potential Impact on Patients and Communities

If the strike proceeds, the article explains that the hospitals will be forced to deploy “temporary staff” and “volunteer physicians” from other boroughs to fill gaps. While many community members understand the necessity of the nurses’ demands, the article also warns of potential disruptions, including delayed elective surgeries and increased wait times for emergency care.

A local resident of Crown Heights, who asked to remain anonymous, said, “I’m worried about how the nurses’ absence will affect our elderly patients. But I also respect their fight for better conditions.” The article notes that several community leaders have called for a quick resolution to prevent prolonged hardship for patients.

What Comes Next?

The BNA has set a strike date for next Tuesday, contingent on the outcome of the final negotiation round. According to the article, the union plans to issue a formal notice to the hospital administrations a day before the walkout, giving them a 24‑hour window to propose a counter‑offer. If no agreement is reached, the nurses will begin their walkout, potentially lasting up to 10 days, depending on how negotiations progress.

The article concludes with an observation that the strike could be a turning point for the borough’s healthcare labor relations. If successful, it may prompt a reevaluation of nursing contracts across the city, potentially leading to more favorable terms for staff and improved patient outcomes. However, the stakes are high: a prolonged strike could strain hospital finances, risk patient safety, and deepen the existing tension between labor and management.

In sum, the article paints a picture of a determined nursing workforce confronting systemic inequities in pay and staffing, backed by a strong union presence. The coming week will be critical for Brooklyn’s healthcare community as it watches to see whether the nurses’ demands will be met or whether the city’s hospitals will face a challenging period of disruption—and possibly, change.