New York nurses’ strike looms as major hospitals, union fail to reach agreement before midnight deadline

Editor’s note: Please click here for updated coverage of the January 12, 2026 NYSNA strike..

The potential of a great nurses’ strike in New York is growing by the minute, after major hospitals and the New York State Nurses Association failed to negotiate a deal before a midnight Sunday deadline.

Thus, nearly 15,000 nurses I could quit my job Monday at Montefiore Medical Center, Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside, Mount Sinai West and NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, unless something happens overnight and a deal is reached.

The union said in a news conference Sunday that a strike would begin at 6 a.m. Monday at Mount Sinai and 7 a.m. at other facilities without a new contract.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani acknowledged the existence of a potential strike Sunday evening, posting a message on social media that said in part: “We are prepared for 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, less benefits, or less dignity to do life-saving work.”

Key issues for the union

NYSNA executives said the main sticking points in contract negotiations with Montefiore, Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian involved wage increases, health benefits, protection against workplace violence, and staff and patient safety.

“Instead of ensuring health care for nurses, these wealthy hospitals are pushing to cut health benefits for nurses who put their own health on the line to care for New Yorkers,” NYSNA President Nancy Hagans said Saturday.

In a joint statement, the hospitals called the potential strike “reckless” and asked union leaders to reconsider their decision.

“NYSNA leadership chose to abandon patients in their time of need, but Montefiore Medical Center, Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian will not. Their decision to abandon our patients can only be described as reckless,” the hospitals said.

Strike could last weeks, hospital says

Montefiore said it was preparing for what could be a weeks-long strike, while Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian said they were prepared to safely care for patients if a strike occurred.

“Patients should not delay getting to the hospital if they need care while we are on strike,” Hagans said.

“NYSNA leadership’s reckless and irresponsible demands totaling $3.6 billion, including a nearly 40% pay increase, clearly put patients at risk; we are committed to devoting all necessary resources to safe and transparent care for our community,” Joe Solmonese, Montefiore’s senior vice president of strategic communications, said in a statement last week.

Some hospitals in the region have already made an agreement with NYSNA, including all Northwell healthcare facilities in Nassau County, while others withdrew their strike notices.

“Northwell Health is pleased to have reached tentative agreements with NYSNA…at Huntington, Plainview and Syosset hospitals. Since negotiations began, our goal has been to reach a fair contract that supports our valued nurses and respects the high standards of care for our patients and the trust of the community,” Northwell said in a statement.

Hochul signs decree

In a video posted to social media Friday, Gov. Kathy Hochul encouraged both sides to stay at the negotiating table and reach a deal. The governor also signed an executive order ordering the Ministry of Health to ensure contingency plans in hospitals in the event of a strike. She then released the following statement:

“My team and I have been in regular communication with 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,” Hochul said.

“While negotiations continue, we anticipate strikes will begin tomorrow at three hospital systems in Manhattan and the Bronx. If the strikes progress, the Department of Health will have staff on site at all affected hospitals beginning tomorrow morning and throughout the duration of the strike to ensure patient safety and continuity of care.

“My top priority is to protect patients and ensure they can access the care they need. At the same time, we must reach an agreement that recognizes the essential work that nurses do every day on the front lines of our health care system.

“This weekend, I signed a two-week executive order allowing hospital systems access to resources needed to maintain patient care.

“I continue to urge both sides to stay at the table and reach an agreement as quickly as possible.”

The public supports the nurses’ demands – up to a point

Some New Yorkers who spoke to CBS News New York said they were supportive, but others worried about what a work stoppage would mean for patients.

“A strike is a last resort. So when it comes to deciding whether to strike, it’s a big deal and the public should pay attention to it and realize that we depend on health care workers,” said Kaidee Akullo, visiting New York from Philadelphia.

“I would say I support their decision to fight for what they deserve, but not at the cost of lives,” said one Upper West Side resident.

“I hope they fix the contract because they deserve it. They are hard workers,” one person said.

“We should not go on strike. It is in everyone’s interest,” said Harminder Bhatia.

“Nurses have every right to strike, and they should because they are overworked and underpaid,” one woman added.