NYC Nurses Strike: Staffing, Safety, and Benefits in Dispute
- New York City's largest nursing strike entered its fifth day, Friday, as 2 of the 3 health systems, facing allegations of unfair labor practices, plan to sit down...
- Nurses went on strike on Monday, January 12, to protest unfair health care benefits, safe staffing, and workplace violence that refused to be addressed.
- "Regrettably, greedy hospital executives have decided to put profits above patients and nurses," said NYSNA President Nancy Hagans in a statement.
New York City’s largest nursing strike entered its fifth day, Friday, as 2 of the 3 health systems, facing allegations of unfair labor practices, plan to sit down with the New York State nurses Association (NYSNA) to reach a deal.1
Nurses went on strike on Monday, January 12, to protest unfair health care benefits, safe staffing, and workplace violence that refused to be addressed. They’re protesting the 3 wealthiest health systems in NYC: Mount Sinai, NewYork-Presbyterian, and Montefiore. In a press release, NYSNA claims these 3 health systems were trying to skew public perception of the strike and elude salaries as the focal point of resistance, despite all 3 health systems reportedly infringing on nurses’ rights or “union busting.”2
“Regrettably, greedy hospital executives have decided to put profits above patients and nurses,” said NYSNA President Nancy Hagans in a statement. “Nurses are on strike to fight for our patients and our families.”
NewYork-Presbyterian and Montefiore Health System are taking steps to ensure patient and nurse safety during the ongoing strike by the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), which began early Wednesday morning.
In a written statement to The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®), the Montefiore Health System said it has allowed those on strike to have their prescriptions delivered directly to their homes. Additionally, NYSNA nurses can still attend any medical appointments scheduled, as well as visit any family members who are patients at the medical center during the strike.
The system also stated it’s rolling out several key programs to enhance safety for nurses, implementing widespread weapons detection capabilities, 24/7 armed New york Police Department members, and wearable panic buttons for nurses.
Regarding the NYSNA’s staffing concern, NewYork-Presbyterian management said it is committed to safe staffing and that the hospital has the best staffing ratios in the city. Montefiore also said its nurse turnover rate was 6.8% in 2024, nearly 10 percentage points below the national average.
Yet nurses at Montefiore continue to speak up about safe staffing. In a recent
1. NYC nurses strike negotiations: Day 5. CBS News. January 16, 2026. Accessed January 16, 2026.
2. NYC nurses strike: Montefiore slanders nurses instead of investing in communities. New York State Nurses Association. January 14, 2026.Accessed January 16, 2026.
Nurses Strike Continues in New York city,Raising Patient Safety Concerns
Thousands of nurses at New York Presbyterian Hospital entered their third day on strike Friday,January 16,2026,demanding better staffing ratios and an end to what they call unfair disciplinary practices. The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) represents the striking workers, and says the hospital’s refusal to negotiate adequately is jeopardizing patient care.
The strike, the largest in New York City history, began monday after contract negotiations stalled. Nurses are seeking enforceable staffing ratios to ensure adequate patient care, particularly during periods of high census. They also want the hospital to reverse what they describe as unlawful disciplinary actions taken against several nurses.
“We’re not just fighting for ourselves; we’re fighting for our patients,” said a striking nurse outside New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center. “When we’re stretched too thin,mistakes happen. Patients deserve better.”
new York Presbyterian Hospital maintains it is indeed committed to providing safe patient care and has implemented contingency plans to minimize disruption during the strike. The hospital has hired replacement nurses, but the NYSNA argues these temporary staff are not familiar with hospital protocols and patient needs.
Here’s a breakdown of key issues:
- Staffing Ratios: Nurses want guaranteed nurse-to-patient ratios, arguing current levels are unsafe.
- disciplinary Actions: The NYSNA claims the hospital has unfairly disciplined nurses for raising concerns about patient safety.
- Contract Negotiations: negotiations remain stalled, with both sides blaming the other for the impasse.
The strike comes amid a nationwide nursing shortage and increasing demands on healthcare workers. ABC News reported on the escalating situation earlier this week. Read more about the strike from ABC News.
The NYSNA is also calling for the hospital to address issues of burnout and mental health support for nurses. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.Find the latest press release from the NYSNA.