New York Nurses Reach Deal with Hospital to End Strike

About 15,000 nurses in the New York State Nurses Association went on strike on Jan. 12 from several major hospitals.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Nurses and hospitals in New York City have reached a tentative agreement to end the nurses strike after six weeks of picketing. The three-year agreement includes enforceable staffing standards, protections for health benefits, ways to address workplace violence, protections for immigrant patients and nurses, and limits to artificial intelligence in the workplace. It also includes raises of more than 12% over three years.

Why it matters

The nurses' strike highlighted ongoing issues around staffing levels, workplace safety, and compensation for healthcare workers in New York City. The resolution of the strike through a new contract sets an important precedent for how hospitals and nurses' unions can work together to address these challenges.

The details

About 15,000 nurses in the New York State Nurses Association went on strike on Jan. 12 from Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside, Mount Sinai West, Montefiore Einstein and New York-Presbyterian/Columbia. New York-Presbyterian/Columbia is the only hospital left with striking nurses as the others have all reached deals with the union. The nurses were demanding higher pay, higher staffing and increased security to protect them from workplace violence.

  • The nurses went on strike on Jan. 12, 2026.
  • The strike lasted for six weeks.

The players

New York State Nurses Association

The union representing the 15,000 striking nurses in New York City.

Mount Sinai Hospital

One of the hospitals affected by the nurses' strike.

New York-Presbyterian/Columbia

The only hospital left with striking nurses as the others have all reached deals with the union.

Beth Loudin

A nurse and local union leader who led the union's bargaining committee at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

Angela Karafazli

A spokesperson for New York-Presbyterian/Columbia.

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What they’re saying

“This has been a long, hard fight, but we are proud of what we achieved. With the strength of our nurses and the support of our community and allies, we showed the hospital that nurses will not compromise on our patients' care.”

— Beth Loudin, Nurse and local union leader (UPI)

“We are pleased to have reached a tentative settlement with NYSNA, through the mediator, that reflects our tremendous respect for our nurses.”

— Angela Karafazli, Spokesperson (UPI)

“For a month and a half, through some of the harshest weather this city has seen in years, nurses at NYP showed this city that they won't make any compromises to patient care. They stood in the cold, snow, ice and wind, along with their union siblings, fighting back management's attempts to cut corners on care and secured contracts that improve enforceable safe staffing ratios, improve protections from workplace violence and maintain health benefits with no additional out-of-pocket costs for frontline nurses.”

— Nancy Hagans, President of the nurses' union (UPI)

What’s next

The nurses could vote on whether to ratify the deal as early as today. They rejected a previous deal.

The takeaway

The resolution of the nurses' strike through a new contract represents an important step in addressing longstanding issues around staffing, workplace safety, and compensation for healthcare workers in New York City. The agreement sets a precedent for how hospitals and nurses' unions can collaborate to find solutions that prioritize patient care and support frontline nurses.