Thousands of nurses in New York City are preparing to go on strike amid contract negotiations

Thousands of New York City Nurses Poised for Strike

Photographer: Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Close to 16,000 nurses from three of New York City's largest hospitals are preparing to walk off the job as contract negotiations remain unresolved, coinciding with a particularly harsh flu season. These nurses, represented by the New York Nurses Association, are the last major group yet to reach a new agreement.

If the strike proceeds, it will mark the first major labor action since a landmark contract was reached three years ago following a similar dispute.

The potential strike would impact operations at Mount Sinai Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian in Manhattan, as well as Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.

The union is advocating for improved staffing ratios, enhanced health benefits, and stronger safety protocols, citing a series of recent security incidents as a driving force behind their demands.

Recent events include a man with a weapon barricading himself inside a room at Brooklyn Methodist Hospital earlier this week, and an armed individual entering a Mount Sinai office last November.

On Thursday night, Richmond University Medical Center reached a deal with its nursing staff, becoming the fifth safety-net hospital in New York City—facilities that primarily serve low-income and uninsured patients—to finalize a union contract.

“Major hospitals in New York City, such as Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian, which have recently experienced violent incidents, must agree to fair contracts that protect both nurses and patients,” stated Nancy Hagans, president of the nurses union.

©2026 Bloomberg L.P.