Nurses in New York City Launch Strike Amid Contract Disputes

Tue Jan 13 2026 23:03:54 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Thousands of nurses at Mount Sinai, NewYork-Presbyterian, and Montefiore are on strike over staffing levels, workplace safety, and better working conditions, potentially impacting healthcare during a severe flu season.

Approximately 15,000 nurses from three major hospital systems in New York City began a strike early Monday, following failed contract negotiations. The nurses seek improvements in staffing, workplace safety, and limitations on the use of AI in their work. The strike could strain healthcare services during a particularly challenging flu season, prompting hospital administrations to hire temporary nurses and manage patient transfers.

NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of nurses from three key hospital systems in New York City commenced a strike on Monday, as contract negotiations failed to produce meaningful results over the prior weekend.

The strike began at 6 a.m. at The Mount Sinai Hospital and its satellite campuses, along with affected hospitals NewYork-Presbyterian and Montefiore Medical Center located in the Bronx. The New York State Nurses Association reported that around 15,000 nurses are participating.

As this strike unfolds amidst a severe flu season, its repercussions could necessitate patient transfers, the cancellation of elective procedures, or the diversion of ambulances. This situation may also burden neighboring hospitals that are not part of the labor dispute, as patients may avoid those struck hospitals.

In preparation for the strike, these hospitals have been hiring temporary nurses to fill gaps, assuring patients via statements that they would do everything possible to minimize disruptions. For instance, Montefiore reassured patients that their appointments would proceed as planned.

Demands from the nurses vary, but collectively they emphasize the need for improved staffing levels and enhanced workplace safety measures. The union claims that nurses are facing unmanageable workloads, underscoring the urgency of their demands.

In a notable incident last week, security concerns were heightened when an individual barricaded themselves inside a hospital room in Brooklyn, leading to a police intervention that resulted in the individual being shot. Such events have intensified calls for better security protocols within the hospitals.

Adding to their list of concerns, the nursing union is also advocating for restrictions on hospitals' reliance on artificial intelligence.

Although the involved nonprofit hospitals claim they are endeavoring to enhance staffing levels, they argue that the union’s demands are financially prohibitive. The union authorized the strike last month, with Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul both voicing their apprehensions regarding the potential impacts of the strike as it approached.

Mamdani reiterated the invaluable role of nurses in the city, stating, Our nurses kept this city alive through its hardest moments. Their value is not negotiable. The most recent significant nursing strike in New York City occurred in 2023, lasting three days at Mount Sinai and Montefiore, culminating in a deal to increase nurses' pay by 19% over three years.

This current situation reveals deepening tensions regarding staffing guarantees and safety measures, as both sides navigate complex negotiations to avert further disruptions in healthcare delivery.