Nurses Strike NYC: Why are 15,000 NYC nurses on strike? Here's what Mayor Zohran Mamdani said about the largest strike in city history

Nurses Strike NYC: Nearly 15,000 nurses went on strike across major New York City hospitals on Monday, launching the largest nurse strike in the city’s history. The unprecedented labor action follows failed contract talks that stretched through the weekend. As hospitals brace for disruption during flu season, city and state leaders are warning of serious consequences. Mayor Zohran Mamdani says patient care and nurse dignity must both be protected.


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Why did NYC nurses go on strike?

The strike began after no agreement was reached before the deadline for contract negotiations. Nurses across multiple hospital systems say they are demanding higher pay, safer working conditions, and manageable workloads, as per information sourced from ABC7 and NBC New York.

The contract for thousands of nurses expired on December 31. The union says talks failed to produce meaningful progress, leaving workers with no option but to walk out.

Union leaders say staffing shortages, rising violence inside hospitals, and proposed cuts to benefits pushed nurses to take action.

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Which hospitals are affected by the nurses strike?

The walkout impacts several of New York City’s largest hospital systems. Facilities affected include Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside, Mount Sinai West, Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, as per reports from ABC7 and NBC New York.

Picket lines formed early Monday at Mount Sinai and its satellite campuses. Nearly 15,000 nurses across the city are now participating, making it the biggest nurses’ strike in NYC history, as per information sourced from ABC7 and NBC New York.

Despite the strike, hospitals have said they will remain open.


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What did Mayor Zohran Mamdani say about the NYC nurse strike 2026?

Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed the situation Sunday night, stressing the need to protect both patients and nurses.

Mamdani said, "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. 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."

He added that city agencies are closely monitoring developments. “We are prepared for any and all scenarios, including a strike."

Mamdani also defended nurses directly, “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."


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Why are safety and staffing major concerns?

Nurses say workplace violence and overwhelming workloads have reached dangerous levels. Recent incidents have heightened concerns, including an armed patient taking hostages at Brooklyn Methodist Hospital last week, ending in a fatal police shooting.

New York State Nurses Association President Nancy Hagans said hospitals are proposing benefit cuts during a severe flu surge, as per reports from ABC7 and NBC New York.

“These wealthy hospitals are pushing to cut health benefits for nurses who put their own health on the line to care for New Yorkers during this historic flu surge,” Hagans said.


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According to a report by ABC7, nurse practitioner Dania Munoz echoed those concerns. “Violence is on the rise in our institutions and in our units. Nurses at the bedside, and not just nurses, doctors as well. Techs are getting hurt by patients." "We are strike ready on Monday, but we don't want to be there. We need fair contracts now, because I know people are going to suffer, and that is not what we want. What we need is the protection and safety to do our jobs."

How are hospitals responding?

Hospital systems involved in negotiations say they have worked to improve staffing but argue the union’s demands are too costly.

Mount Sinai said it is prepared for a prolonged strike. "We are prepared for a strike that could last an indefinite amount of time and have taken every step to best support our patients and employees in the event NYSNA forces our nurses to walk away from the bedside for the second time in three years,” the hospital said in a statement.

Meanwhile, three Northwell hospitals on Long Island reached agreements and avoided a strike.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency, warning that the strike “could jeopardize the lives of thousands of New Yorkers and patients.”

City emergency management officials, the FDNY, the health department, and public hospitals remain on alert as the strike continues.

FAQs

How many nurses are on strike in NYC?

Nearly 15,000 nurses across multiple hospital systems.

Are hospitals staying open during the strike?

Yes, hospitals say they will remain open.