On January 12, 2026, around 15,000 nurses from three major hospital systems in New York City, including Mount Sinai Hospital, Montefiore Medical Center, and NewYork-Presbyterian, commenced a strike following unsuccessful contract negotiations. The strike began at 6 a.m. and occurs during a severe flu season, raising concerns about patient transfers, canceled procedures, and diverted ambulances. This disruption may also affect other hospitals as patients might avoid the facilities involved in the strike.

In response to the strike, the affected hospitals have started hiring temporary nurses to alleviate the impact and have expressed a commitment to minimizing disruptions. Montefiore has assured patients that their appointments will continue as scheduled. Each hospital is negotiating independently with the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), although several other hospitals in the city and surrounding areas have reached agreements to avert strikes.

The nurses' demands vary by institution but focus on critical issues such as safe staffing levels, workplace safety, and adequate healthcare benefits. The NYSNA has raised concerns about unmanageable workloads and the need for improved security measures, particularly in light of recent violent incidents in hospital settings. Notably, a recent incident at a Brooklyn hospital involved police fatally shooting a man armed with a sharp object, which has intensified discussions about safety in healthcare environments.

While the nonprofit hospitals involved assert they are working to improve staffing levels, they argue that the union's demands are financially unfeasible. The nurses had previously voted to authorize the strike last month. New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani have both expressed concerns about the potential impact of the strike, with Mamdani urging both parties to negotiate a resolution that acknowledges the contributions of nurses while ensuring hospital operations remain functional.

The last significant nursing strike in New York City occurred in 2023, lasting three days and resulting in a 19% pay increase over three years, alongside commitments to improve staffing. However, the current dispute reflects ongoing disagreements about the fulfillment of those commitments. NYSNA President Nancy Hagans emphasized that patients should feel free to seek necessary medical care at the hospitals involved, clarifying that doing so does not equate to crossing the strike line.

Support for the striking nurses has also come from figures such as Senator Bernie Sanders, who criticized the hospitals for opting to hire replacement nurses instead of negotiating a fair contract. The NYSNA has received backing from 1199SEIU, the largest union of healthcare workers in New York, which has called for good faith negotiations and recognition of the vital role nurses play in the healthcare system.