Story Highlight
– Marilyn Shuler laid off after 39 years at Montefiore.
– Twelve nurses replaced by AI-powered software, apex union protests.
– Union’s AI bill of rights aims to protect nurses.
– Layoffs violate new contract post-January nurses strike.
– Montefiore states changes focus on nonclinical paperwork tasks.
Full Story
Marilyn Shuler, a seasoned utilization review nurse at Montefiore hospital in the Bronx, has been pivotal in navigating patient charts and liaising with insurance companies for nearly 40 years. However, her career faced an abrupt end on Sunday, as Shuler was among 12 nurses laid off due to the introduction of AI-driven software, a significant shift highlighted by the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA).
Reflecting on her long-standing dedication to the hospital, Shuler expressed her disappointment: “I’ve always taken so much pride in the organization that I’ve worked for all these years, and just to be treated this way. It’s disrespectful, and it’s very disheartening, and my colleagues feel the same way as well.”
The impact of AI on the nursing profession has prompted concerns from National Nurses United (NNU), the overarching union for NYSNA. This incident marks one of the first reported layoffs influenced by AI technology within the union’s jurisdiction. In response to these developments, the NNU has implemented an AI bill of rights aimed at safeguarding both patients and nursing staff, advocating for clear protections in contracts and pushing for legislative oversight against the deployment of untested AI solutions in healthcare settings. Jamie Brown, the NNU president and registered nurse, stated, “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.”
These layoffs occur following significant nursing strikes at various hospitals across New York City in January 2026, which resulted in new union contracts intended to protect against the use of AI. However, Shaiju Kalathil, a nurse at Montefiore and member of the union’s executive committee, criticized the hospital’s actions, claiming they violated the recently established contract. “We are outraged about these layoffs because these dedicated nurses are being replaced by AI,” Kalathil stated. “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.”
Upon returning to work in February after the strike, Shuler and her colleagues noticed unfamiliar changes in their workflow. Following their inquiry to management about these adjustments, they received no reply until May 28, when they were given 45-day layoff notices. Shuler recalled, “We were shocked and definitely disappointed because we repeatedly asked for transparency.”
Shuler highlighted the complexities of her role, which often involves intricate discussions regarding patient discharges and medication alterations—tasks ideally suited for human oversight rather than AI. “AI should be a tool used in conjunction with the clinical expert, not to replace,” she asserted. “We’re not against technology. There are several advances in healthcare utilizing technology. The issue is with new tech without evidence.”
While Montefiore hospital refrained from commenting directly on the layoffs, Joe Solmonese, the senior vice-president for government relations and strategic communications, noted that technological advancements in use are part of a non-clinical program. In his email, he remarked, “As is often the case, the claims by NYSNA are inaccurate and misleading. 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.”
