NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — As promised, nurses with University Medical Center walked off the job. It's a one-day strike. Nurses packed the corner of Canal and North Galvez streets, demanding a fair contract and addressing workplace safety concerns. Though it's only a one-day strike, the nurses say they have been bargaining for better conditions since March. New Orleans homeless encampment sweeps temporarily halted "We've been working really hard at the table to try to get the hospital to meet our demands, have them listen to us. And it's just time after time. It's lip service, gaslighting," said bargaining team member and UMC nurse Hailey Dupré. UMC is the only level-one trauma center in the area for severe injuries.Registered nurse Heidi Tujague says nurses are unsung heroes, emphasizing that their voices matter, as they are the backbone of the hospital. "We know that this hospital is a safety net hospital. It is a level-one trauma center. We treat every possible scenario that could happen. We believe that we are doing better for our community, better for the nurses, and better for this hospital," said Tujague. John Nickens, president and CEO of UMC, said in a statement the hospital remains committed to reaching a contract, adding patient care will not be interrupted. Kiesha Brown Sinceno says they want patients to know they are not abandoning them. Metairie SWAT roll ends peacfully after man shot police robot "We're here and we're fighting for better staffing ratios, more resources. We can't be the best nurses for them until we are the best people for ourselves. So we're out here. We're fighting for a good contract so that way we'll be able to serve them to the best of our abilities," said Sinceno. "They've said it themselves. One day matters. This day is huge for us and it's huge for them because they are spending a ton of money in order to not negotiate with us. We are not here to play. And it's time for them to come and sit and listen and negotiate," said Dupré. The nurses know this is a significant moment as they are the first unionized hospital in the state and the first ones to strike. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Post Friday night concert forecast & traffic House Speaker Mike Johnson votes early and campaigns for Republican Party Is credit card debt settlement a good idea? Scott attorney disbarred, ordered to pay restitution to former clients 13 year-old dies subway surfing doing 'awful' TikTok challenge