Marilyn Shuler, a utilization review nurse with 39 years of service at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, was one of 12 nurses laid off on Sunday, replaced by AI-powered software, according to the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA). The union represents nurses at the hospital and says the layoffs violate a contract won after a massive strike in January 2026.
Nurses Speak Out
“I’ve always, always taken so much pride in the organization that I’ve worked for all these years, and just to be treated this way,” Shuler said. “It’s disrespectful, and it’s very disheartening, and my colleagues feel the same way as well.”
National Nurses United (NNU), NYSNA’s parent union, has been warning about AI’s impact on nursing. Shuler’s case is among the first AI-related layoffs handled by the union. NNU has developed an AI bill of rights for patients and nurses, pushing for contract protections and legislative guardrails, and protesting untested AI in patient care.
Union Outrage
“NNU nurses, like the nurses at Montefiore, have been on the frontlines of fighting hospital employers’ efforts to force unregulated and untested AI into patient care settings,” said Jamie Brown, a registered nurse and NNU president. “Nurses know from experience that hospital employers will find any opportunity to cut costs and cut corners on patient care and nurse staffing.”
The layoffs follow a massive nurses strike across several New York City hospitals in January 2026. New union contracts after the strikes included AI safeguards. Shaiju Kalathil, a Montefiore nurse and union executive committee member, said the layoffs breach this contract.
“We are outraged about these layoffs because these dedicated nurses are being replaced by AI,” Kalathil said. “This is a violation of the contract that we recently won by going on strike. It should also concern every practitioner and patient who cares about the future of healthcare and the quality of care they receive.”
Changes After Strike
Shuler said that upon returning to work in February after the strike, her team’s workflow had changed without explanation. After notifying the union, they emailed management but received no response until May 28, when all 12 nurses received 45-day layoff notices. “We were shocked and definitely disappointed because we repeatedly asked for transparency,” Shuler said.
Shuler’s job involves complex communications about medication changes and discharge planning, which she says would be hard to conduct with AI. “AI should be a tool used in conjunction with the clinical expert, not to replace,” she said. “We’re not against technology. There are several advances in healthcare utilizing technology. The issue is with new tech without evidence.”
Hospital Response
Montefiore did not comment specifically on the layoffs but said its technology changes are used in a nonclinical program involving paperwork. “As is often the case, the claims by NYSNA are inaccurate and misleading,” said Joe Solmonese, senior vice-president for government relations and strategic communications at Montefiore, in an email. “What is true is that we are always investing in new technology to ensure the best care and outcomes for our patients and will continue to do so for the betterment of the people we serve.”
