In the early weeks of the pandemic, when even emergency room nurses had to reuse N95 masks for days at a time, nonmedical workers were often given less protective gear than their colleagues who treated patients — or none at all — according to union leaders and hospital employees.

“If you work in a hospital, you are exposed to the same kind of virus as the doctors and nurses,” said Carmen Charles, president of the union that represents 8,500 nonmedical staff members at New York City hospitals. “I understand management wanting to ration the supplies, but at what cost?”

Ms. Charles, who leads Local 420, part of the umbrella union for city workers, said some of her members had been denied the N95 masks that were reserved for doctors and nurses. At least 11 members have died, she said.