NYC Nurses End 6-Week Strike After Approving New Deal

Workers at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia hospital voted for a contract with raises and layoff protections.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Thousands of nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia hospital have voted overwhelmingly to end their six-week strike and return to work, having won higher pay, improved staffing levels and protections against layoffs, the nurses' union announced on Saturday evening. The decision by the more than 4,000 nurses brings to a close the largest and longest nurses' strike in New York City in decades.

Why it matters

The nurses' strike sent shockwaves through the affected hospitals, leading some to transfer vulnerable patients, postpone elective surgeries and hire thousands of replacement nurses from across the country at far higher wages so that their facilities could remain open. The contentious relationship between the nurses' union and hospital executives has only become more bitter during the strike, the second walkout that the nurses' union has staged in three years.

The details

The nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia were a holdout contingent that had continued striking even after about 10,000 nurses at the other hospitals had ratified contracts and returned to work. The new contract provides raises for nurses of about 12% over three years, protections against layoffs, and safeguards regarding artificial intelligence. One sticking point was nurse staffing levels, with the union wanting to make it easier to bring cases of understaffing to arbitrators.

  • The strike began in early January 2026.
  • The strike lasted for 6 weeks.
  • The nurses voted to ratify the new contract on February 21, 2026.

The players

NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia

A major hospital in New York City where over 4,000 nurses were on strike.

New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA)

The union representing the striking nurses.

Nancy Hagans

The president of the NYSNA union.

Angela Karafazli

A spokeswoman for NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia.

Montefiore Medical Center

One of the major hospitals affected by the nurses' strike.

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What they’re saying

“The new contract reflects our respect for our nurses and the critical role they play as part of our exceptional care teams.”

— Angela Karafazli, Spokeswoman, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia

“They achieved contracts that set industry standards and will improve care for New Yorkers.”

— Nancy Hagans, President, New York State Nurses Association

What’s next

The nurses' union and hospital executives say they are ready to put the strike behind them, but the contentious relationship may lead to another walkout in three years when the next contract expires.

The takeaway

This strike highlights the ongoing tensions between nurses and hospital management over issues like staffing levels, pay, and working conditions. The resolution of this dispute may set the stage for future negotiations and potential conflicts between nurses and hospitals in New York City.