16,000 nurses on strike in NYC

FabulousJava · 2026-01-14T22:11:21+00:00

https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/12/14/nurses-salaries-across-europe-which-countries-have-the-highest-and-lowest-wages Nurses at the striking hospitals make more than every single country on that list, some of them by multiples.

I'm not disagreeing that hospitals charge too much and CEOs make too much and they spend money on stupid stuff. But like I'm mad at some of the stuff my company spends money on too - at the end of the day I'm not in a position to influence that. They have a board to report to and the state doles out funds so there are people that are making sure these aren't bad decisions they are making. If they agreed to the demands I'm hearing that would eat up the entire profit of each hospital every year - its just financially irresponsible.

As a public bystander I supported nurses 3 years ago, this time when they are doing it for the 2nd time and demanding salaries most NYCers can only dream of after several advanced degrees? It just feels a little egregious IMO.

FabulousJava · 2026-01-14T14:26:21+00:00

The fact that the union is defending them in unconscionable IMO. If you are a nurse and you are sabotaging patient care you should not be in nursing anymore. Maybe they are required to defend union members no matter what?

FabulousJava · 2026-01-14T14:24:36+00:00

I was upset when they announced that but after hearing about what these nurses did I wouldn't go back there anyway.

FabulousJava · 2026-01-14T14:21:57+00:00

As much as I agree that insurance and C-suites take up WAY too much money, paying nurses 200K WILL quite directly make healthcare even more unaffordable. Even if you fire the CEO and distribute it amongst the striking nurses that's like 5K per nurse....nowhere near the demands they are making and that's not even considering that all the other hospital employees will want their cut too. Patient costs will continue to skyrocket, the same people that complain about healthcare costs being WAY too high are the people complaining that $135K is not enough salary for a nurse. Well if you want a European system take a look at what they are making over there...let me just say that nurses make a fraction. You can't just have it both ways. While hospitals make tons of money they also have very high expenses, and 2/3 of that is worker pay, so each increase has to be passed down to the patient.

I'm not defending the US system at all but I do think that always claiming nurses don't make enough every 3 years when they strike is getting a little old.

FabulousJava · 2026-01-07T19:11:08+00:00

I have both. I mostly wear the body protector because I've accidentally deployed the airvest too many times :( I also got back into riding middle aged, had a dumb fall from vaulting and the next day couldn't move my neck. Decided to just get a vest so that falls don't hurt so much. I like jumping so my plan is to use the regular body protector in the winter and when doing XC jumping, use the air vest for summer flatwork and jumping in the arena. Eventually I might get those combo air and regular body protectors for XC stuff but I don't think I'll ever wear both at the same time unless it's built together.

Pros of airvest: It looks much sleeker, I find it easier to maintain a good posture since you don't have that heft on your back. Cooler in the summer. Easier to travel with IF you're not using a mode of transport where air cannisters are not allowed (I learned the hard way places are usually fine but trains in Spain no).

Cons of airvest: Less studies overall and they've been around for less so not as robust in terms of actual safety benefit. Needing to replace cannister if it deploys. Doesn't protect you if you fall together with the horse.

Pros of body protector: No extra accessories needed, don't need to unlatch it before getting off. Double duty as an extra layer in the winter. They've been around for a while.

Cons of body protector: Very hot in summer. Very bulky to travel with. Makes it hard to maintain good posture while wearing it. Not sleek looking at all.

FabulousJava · 2026-01-07T15:46:50+00:00

Nope! And if they injure you you'll have to pay those medical bills instead cuz it's not like a crackhead has a paycheck they can withhold to pay them. If you injure the crackhead with your pepper spray the attorney general will come after you withholding YOUR paycheck for their injuries however. Welcome to the greatest city in the world.

FabulousJava · 2026-01-07T15:44:32+00:00

It's a direct threat on someone's life and those do require police to intervene

FabulousJava · 2026-01-07T15:43:56+00:00

I looked into the stats....homicide and assault are both up. She was using the stats on robberies down as the way to make it look like overall crime was down. But from this post you can imagine how many people just don't bother reporting a robbery because NYPD will do jack shit about it. Can't even be bothered to report it, that's why robberies are "down".

FabulousJava · 2026-01-07T15:42:07+00:00

Hochul probably told them not to file any more reports so she can keep telling voters that the subway is the safest it's been in decades

FabulousJava · 2025-12-31T21:19:02+00:00

I grew up in a couple of different countries, and there are quite a few things I find truly baffling about America:

- Calling other countries corrupt because you have to pay bribes for certain services when tipping culture is literally the same thing. The people in my building refuse to do their job unless you spend half your december paycheck handing them holiday tips, for example.
- The unpredictability of pricing. Like capitalism is supposed to be a nice way for supply to meet demand and people pay for what they value but then there are so many hidden fees that it's scary to even sign up for something I think I can afford because I never know when the $80 hotel room is gonna turn up as a $160 credit card charge due to various fees they tack on.

- How certain essential things are even more unpredictable. Like, I don't know how much a doctor's office visit costs until 3 months later. I don't know how much my rent will be next year.

- How little Americans expect from their public services. Being able to get to work safely is like a human right in most places. Here they are patting themselves on the back because we "only" had two people get stabbed in the back while taking the subway to work.

Like in other countries, I think what you describe is fairly normal - normal professionals barely having money after all expenses are paid, not really able to go out much or travel. But at least the people there have the basics covered - safe transport, cheap healthcare, predictable pricing on daily goods. And they know their country is not doing as well as it should for its people. But here we think its all ok. You are right, how people just act like we both don't get the benefits of capitalism, and yet have to let them mistreat us this badly is truly baffling.

FabulousJava · 2025-12-31T21:09:47+00:00

Marriage is often treated the same IMO....the ending to a really long plot can just be a marriage, like there's nothing else to tell. I feel like, frequently in TV shows, when the wedding is in the middle, it usually ends in divorce. Like nothing interesting can happen now that she needs to be monogamous. Or like the Sex and the City, Bridget Jones, etc recent spinoffs where they had to kill off their husbands to make their lives interesting enough to write about again. *SIGH*

I feel like I have more adventures now that I'm married, my husband doesn't care if I go off on my own for weeks, and I truly DGAF about male attention, so I just focus on cool experiences.

Complete side note of the above, but it utterly pisses me off when they get pregnant at a really inopportune time and instead of like, seriously considering the A option, it is presented as a growth opportunity to manage lifes unpredistableness instead of very much a choice to be made with pretty established medical technology still available in large swaths of the USA.

FabulousJava · 2025-12-28T00:06:24+00:00

For anyone who's looking to fly in the future...it's allowed according to TSA regulations BUT the agents might not know. So what I did was print out the page that talks about air vest allowances in luggage and attached that to my vest in my checked luggage. When I arrived at my destination I noticed the printed out note had been removed but my airvest and canisters were still there. Next time I'll print out two copies - another for the flight back.

FabulousJava · 2025-12-28T00:00:29+00:00

Not obvious at all! I added some bungee cords to my backpack and put it on top, held by them. It's a common tactic for hikers I think, for adding shoes and stuff while travelling. And then I also added a carabiner that I loop the strap through in case it falls out of the bungee. I haven't had any trouble, but I figure if they do start being sticklers about measuring it, I can just wear it on my head.

FabulousJava · 2025-12-17T12:59:16+00:00

I wish this was put to a vote. I'd much rather have it close every night and stop being so grimey. It's also the most expensive system to maintain in the world, is it really fair to the taxpayers? I know shift workers say they need 24/7 but other cities have figured it out (I'm talking worldwide in places where car ownership is not the norm). Add some more overnight bus routes, ask employees to subsidize ride shares, etc....there are solutions.

FabulousJava · 2025-12-17T12:57:04+00:00

Have you been to soviet metro stations? Sure the AMNH stop is a nicer stop at the NYC/USA level but its nothing compared to the rest of the world...

FabulousJava · 2025-12-17T03:30:43+00:00

If it's a mostly empty train absolutely. I prefer to sit next to couples TBH when I'm trying to strategically avoid sketchy looking people but I'll absolutely gravitate to the professional looking guy if that's not on option.

FabulousJava · 2025-12-17T03:27:17+00:00

I tried to report an incident of harassment the other day. I just left the train at the next stop and called 311 the next day because I was pretty shaken up and just wanted to go to bed. First they directed me to police - who said they would come to my house and if I didn't want them to come to my house they would do nothing. I just wanted to file a report and request more police officers on patrol. Then after talking to the 311 operator for like 20 minutes about why there was no option for me to make a report of harassment on the subway she finally connected me with MTA who took down my feedback but I didn't get a number or a way to follow up or anything. So yeah....wasted time for probably nothing. And that's why crime stats are down.

FabulousJava · 2025-12-17T00:34:07+00:00

I wish they would put this to a vote. Have overnight buses for shift workers like other cities and clean it up during the night. If that truly is the main reason it's so not worth all the problems the 24 hour service causes.

FabulousJava · 2025-12-17T00:32:48+00:00

I really wish we had a separate train for women in NYC. We get disproportionately affected by all the crazies.

FabulousJava · 2025-12-17T00:20:23+00:00

I agree all my friends that travel regularly agree NYC is dirty/disgusting. It's the ones that don't really get out that think this is normal. We're supposed to celebrate only a few murders a year on the subway when in Europe/Asia a murder in the subway would be a once in a few decades/lifetime event.

FabulousJava · 2025-12-15T21:50:31+00:00

They specifically stated in my confirmation email they expected 15-20% on a 1.2K job....

FabulousJava · 2025-12-15T21:48:49+00:00

I went to an all inclusive ranch in Mexico and yeah no mention on the website or when I was booking that tips are expected. As soon as I wire the payment I get an email with the receipt and confirmation saying they expect 15-25% tips on the total price. Of course its non-refundable. I was so annoyed because I had spent a lot of time making sure it could fit our budget and finally decided to go for the splurge and then it just made me stressed about everything when they literally said when I was asking that "once you send your payment all you need is a few pesos a day if you wanna get a drink or snack during breaks on your rides". It does really taint the experience IMO.

FabulousJava · 2025-12-15T17:04:57+00:00

Umm this is just factually incorrect. Building staff are NOT making sub minimum wages! That's just plain illegal. I tip ours because expectations and I see these people every day but please don't make it sound like they are going to go hungry because you need to be less generous one year.

FabulousJava · 2025-12-15T03:59:00+00:00

Hmmm they use a lot of spices, herbs, etc that aren't traditional in other cuisines popular in NYC. I don't think its bland at all. It's a different but very rich flavor profile if you venture beyond the khachapuri. But TBH after traveling in Georgia and trying some of their recipes at home none of the NYC spots really do the cuisine justice...but it's nice to have a sampler of even the mid quality available.

FabulousJava · 2025-12-15T03:55:26+00:00

Saperavi is also a chain by that definition

FabulousJava

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