Nearly 15,000 nurses walked off the job at major New York City hospitals as the largest nurses strike in NYC history begins amid stalled contract talks.
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Nurses walk the picket line in front of Mount Sinai Hospital. -Photo by NYSNA on X
By Staff Reporter
January 12, 2026
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 violence.
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 nurses and 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 Hochul declared 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.
“The city's Emergency Management team, FDNY, health department, public hospital system, and my senior leadership team are in constant communication and closely monitoring the situation. We are prepared for any and all scenarios, including a strike.
“No New Yorker should have to fear losing access to health care — and no nurse should be asked to accept less pay, fewer benefits or less dignity for doing lifesaving work. Our nurses kept this city alive through its hardest moments. Their value is not negotiable.
“I’m relieved that most hospitals have reached an agreement and urge the remaining parties to stay at the table and reach a deal that both honors our nurses and keeps our hospitals open,” Mamdani said.
Past Strikes and Broader Context
This NYC nurses union strike of 2026 follows a similar impact event in 2023, when nurses at several hospitals walked out for a short period. That strike led to a 19% pay raise and staffing improvements months later, but disagreements remain over how extensively those improvements were implemented.
Several hospitals that also had contract expirations have already reached tentative agreements with NYSNA, avoiding walkouts at those sites. However, the walkout at the major medical centers marks the largest public health labor action in the city’s recent history.
What This Means for New Yorkers
For many residents, the New York City nurses strike at major hospitals may raise questions about access to medical care. Local health authorities and hospital systems stress that:
- Hospitals remain open and operational.
- Delayed or rescheduled elective procedures are possible, but urgent and emergency services are prioritized.
- Patients should not delay seeking care when necessary — medical needs should still be addressed promptly.
What Happens Next
Union leaders and hospital administrators continue negotiations while picket lines remain active. The duration of the nurses strike in New York City hospitals remains uncertain, and both sides have signaled willingness to keep talking.
For ongoing updates, stay tuned to local and national news outlets covering this developing story.
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