Nurses Strike Continues as Hospitals Offer 'Weak' Counterproposals

Union says hospitals failed to address key issues like safe staffing and workplace violence protections

Feb. 3, 2026 at 3:07pm

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The historic nurses strike in New York City entered its 23rd day on Tuesday, as the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) said hospital management's latest counterproposals failed to adequately address the union's key demands around safe staffing and workplace violence protections. NYSNA singled out NewYork-Presbyterian for having 'weaker' safe staffing enforcement provisions compared to other hospitals, and accused the hospital of not even making counterproposals on some issues.

Why it matters

The ongoing nurses strike has disrupted healthcare services across New York City, with nearly 15,000 nurses from three major hospital systems walking off the job. The dispute over safe staffing levels and workplace protections highlights broader tensions in the healthcare industry around working conditions for frontline workers.

The details

NYSNA said the revised proposals from hospital management at the Javits Center on Tuesday did not meet the union's contract demands. The union accused NewYork-Presbyterian, one of the three affected hospital systems, of having 'weaker' safe staffing enforcement provisions than other NYSNA hospitals and not even making counterproposals on some issues. However, NewYork-Presbyterian denied these claims, stating that it had delivered a 'comprehensive proposal' covering both economic and non-economic terms, including safe staffing and workplace violence.

  • The nurses strike continued into Day 23 on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
  • Bargaining sessions between NYSNA and hospital management took place on February 2, 2026.

The players

New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA)

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

NewYork-Presbyterian

One of the three private hospital systems affected by the nurses strike, which NYSNA accused of having 'weaker' safe staffing enforcement provisions than other hospitals.

Nancy Hagans, RN

The president of NYSNA, who expressed outrage at the hospital management's 'unserious proposals' that failed to address the union's key issues.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.