Approximately 15,000 nurses across five major New York City hospital systems initiated a strike on Monday morning, following the failure of contract negotiations over the weekend. Represented by the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), the nurses are seeking agreements on staffing levels, compensation, healthcare benefits, and workplace safety. The strike, which impacts Mount Sinai Hospital (including its Morningside and West campuses), Montefiore Medical Center, and NewYork-Presbyterian, has led to hospital preparations involving temporary staff and has prompted concerns from state and city officials regarding patient care during an active flu season.
Strike Commencement and Scope
On Monday, approximately 15,000 nurses, represented by the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), began a strike across five major hospital systems in New York City. The action followed a weekend of unsuccessful contract negotiations. The strike is described as the largest nurses' strike in the city's history. It impacts Mount Sinai Hospital, including its Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West campuses in Manhattan, Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, and NewYork-Presbyterian. The walkout commenced at 6 a.m. at Mount Sinai Hospital and an hour later at the other affected facilities. Most union members had previously voted to authorize the strike last month, and their previous contract expired on December 31.
Core Issues in Negotiations
Central to the dispute are demands from NYSNA for improved staffing levels, with the union stating that hospitals are reluctant to commit to standards ensuring manageable workloads. NYSNA also seeks agreements on pay increases, full healthcare coverage and pensions for nurses, and enhanced workplace protections against violence. Additionally, the union is advocating for limitations on hospitals' use of artificial intelligence.
Hospital officials have characterized some of the union's demands as financially unsustainable. Montefiore, for example, cited a total cost of $3.6 billion, including requests for nearly 40% wage increases. Hospital representatives also referenced union proposals regarding nurses compromised by drugs or alcohol. NewYork-Presbyterian stated it had proposed significant wage increases and enhanced benefits, while emphasizing the need for compromise from both sides. Mount Sinai asserted that NYSNA proceeded with the strike despite refusing to compromise on what it termed "extreme economic demands." NYSNA has stated that hospitals are threatening to reduce nurses' health benefits and asserted that hospital systems are prioritizing profits.
Official Statements and Public Impact
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on Friday in anticipation of the strike, urging both hospital management and the nurses' union to finalize a deal. Governor Hochul stated concerns that a strike "could jeopardize the lives of thousands of New Yorkers and patients" and encouraged both sides to remain at the negotiating table. She also signed executive orders to ensure state Department of Health staff would be present at impacted hospitals.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined striking nurses, stating that nurses' value is "not negotiable" and that they deserve "dignity, respect and fair pay." State Attorney General Letitia James commented that healthcare workers are "stretched to their limits" and that workplace violence is increasing. The strike occurs during a severe flu season, and officials expressed concerns about potential impacts such as patient transfers, procedure cancellations, ambulance diversions, and increased pressure on other city hospitals.
Hospital Responses and Preparations
The affected hospitals initiated measures to mitigate disruption, including hiring temporary nurses. Mount Sinai reported hiring over 1,000 temporary nurses and conducting preparatory drills, stating it was prepared with 1,400 qualified nurses to maintain patient care. NewYork-Presbyterian also arranged for temporary nurses, with some patients potentially being moved or transferred. Montefiore stated that patient appointments would be maintained and indicated preparedness for a strike lasting several weeks. Hospital officials and NYSNA leaders communicated that hospitals would remain open and care would continue during the strike. Emergency rooms are operational, and patients are advised not to delay treatment but to seek updates from their healthcare providers.
Prior Negotiations and Contract History
This current impasse occurs after NYSNA announced tentative settlements last week that averted strikes at four other New York City area hospitals, including three Northwell Health hospitals, Brooklyn Hospital Center, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, and BronxCare Health System. NYSNA President Nancy Hagans stated that the remaining hospitals had not agreed to contracts considered fair by the union.
The city experienced a shorter nursing strike in 2023 at Mount Sinai and Montefiore, which led to postponed non-emergency surgeries and patient transfers. That strike concluded with an agreement on a 19% pay raise over three years and promises of staffing improvements. Currently, disagreement persists between the union and hospitals regarding the extent of progress made on these previous staffing guarantees. NYSNA contends that hospitals are retracting previous assurances and falling short on other promises, referencing ongoing issues such as "hallway patients" at Montefiore. Montefiore, in turn, has stated a 35% reduction in the time from emergency admission to a clinical unit bed. Hospitals report a significant reduction in nursing job vacancy rates over the past three years, with Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian adding hundreds of nursing positions.
Specific Incidents and Context
To underscore safety concerns, the union has highlighted incidents such as a recent event where a man with a sharp object barricaded himself in a Brooklyn hospital room, and a police-involved shooting at a Brooklyn hospital.
During the strike, an incident was reported where a striking nurse was denied access to a Montefiore Weiler Hospital pharmacy to pick up prescriptions, as their health insurance required the use of a Montefiore pharmacy. A Montefiore spokesperson stated that striking nurses could request home delivery for prescriptions and visit inpatient family members with proper documentation.