NYC Nursing Walkout Ends as Last Striking Nurses Approve New Contract

More than 4,000 nurses in the NewYork-Presbyterian system voted to ratify a three-year contract, ending a major strike that lasted over a month.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Nurses at a large New York hospital system, NewYork-Presbyterian, have approved a new contract, ending a major nursing strike that lasted over a month. The strike initially involved around 15,000 nurses at three major private hospital systems in New York City. The new contract includes staffing improvements, raises over 12% in three years, and safeguards on the use of artificial intelligence.

Why it matters

The nursing strike was one of the largest in recent memory in New York City, disrupting healthcare services at several major private hospitals. The resolution of the strike through a new contract represents a victory for the nurses and their union, the New York State Nurses Association, in securing better working conditions and compensation.

The details

The nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian went on strike on January 12th, joining nurses at two other major hospital systems, Montefiore and Mount Sinai, who had also walked out. The union said 93% of its members at NewYork-Presbyterian voted to ratify the new three-year contract, which includes provisions for staffing improvements, raises over 12% in three years, and safeguards on the use of artificial intelligence.

  • The nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian went on strike on January 12, 2026.
  • The nurses voted to ratify the new contract on February 21, 2026.

The players

New York State Nurses Association

The union representing the striking nurses at the three major New York City hospital systems.

NewYork-Presbyterian

A large private hospital system in New York City where over 4,000 nurses went on strike.

Montefiore

One of the other major private hospital systems in New York City where nurses also went on strike.

Mount Sinai

The third major private hospital system in New York City where nurses went on strike.

Nancy Hagans

The president of the New York State Nurses Association.

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What’s next

The nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian are expected to start returning to work in the coming week now that the new contract has been ratified.

The takeaway

The resolution of this major nursing strike in New York City through a new contract represents a significant victory for the nurses and their union in securing improved working conditions and compensation. It also highlights the crucial role nurses play in the healthcare system and the importance of addressing their concerns to ensure quality patient care.