by NYCNews | 2026-01-12 17:06:09+00:00
By Staff Reporter

NEW YORK, NY — The largest nurses strike in New York City history officially began Monday as nearly 15,000 registered nurses walked off the job at major NYC hospitals after contract negotiations with the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and hospital systems failed to reach an agreement.

This unprecedented NYC nurses strike at major hospitals involves nurses from some of the city’s biggest health care providers, including Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai West, Mount Sinai Morningside, Montefiore Medical Center, and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

Why the Nurses Strike in NYC Started

Union leaders say the strike — one of the most significant nurses walkoffs in New York City hospitals — is about more than wages. Nurses and the NYSNA have been negotiating since late 2025 to secure:

* Safe staffing levels to ensure better nurse-to-patient care ratios.

* Fair and competitive pay increases that reflect the high cost of living and inflation.

Full health benefits and stronger workplace protections, including protections against workplace violenc.

The union says progress in talks stalled over these core issues and that adequate patient safety cannot be guaranteed without changes to current staffing and benefit practices.

Impact on Hospital Operations and Patient Care

Although striking nurses are off the job, hospitals say they are working to minimize disruptions to patient care. Plans include:

* Hiring temporary replacement nursesand agency staff.

* Transferring or rescheduling non-urgent procedures where necessary.

* Keeping emergency services open and stable throughout the walkout.

City and state officials emphasize that medical treatment should continue to be available. New York State health officials

are monitoring the strike at affected facilities to ensure patients in need of care receive it safely.

Government Response: Safety and Negotiations Continue
With the strike underway during a severe flu season that is already affecting hospital capacity, state and city leaders have stepped in.

* Governor Kathy Hochuldeclared a state of emergency to ensure contingency support and state health department assistance at impacted hospitals.

* New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has urged continued negotiations, emphasizing that both patient care and nurses’ concerns need resolution.

“My team and I have been in regular communication with both NYSNA and hospital leadership for weeks, and that work has led to real progress. Eleven hospital systems have either reached agreements or agreed not to proceed with strikes at this time,” Governor Kathy Hochul said.

“My top priority is protecting patients and ensuring they can access the care they need. At the same time, we must reach an agreement that recognizes the essential work nurses do every day on the front lines of our healthcare system,” Hochul said.

City officials have pledged ongoing communication with healthcare leaders, first responders, and union representatives to manage both care continuity and public safety.

“The safety and wellbeing of this city is my top priority and ensuring New Yorkers have the care they need is critical, especially during flu season,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a statement.