NYC Nursing Walkout Ends as Last Striking Nurses Approve New Contract

More than 4,000 nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian system ratify 3-year deal after over a month on strike.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Nurses at the privately run NewYork-Presbyterian hospital system in New York City have voted to approve a new 3-year 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 the city, but the NewYork-Presbyterian nurses were the last to reach a deal with their employer.

Why it matters

The nursing strike was one of the largest in New York City's history, disrupting healthcare services across multiple major hospital systems. The new contract represents a victory for the nurses, who were able to secure improvements in staffing, raises, and protections around the use of artificial intelligence - key issues that prompted the walkout.

The details

The New York State Nurses Association said 93% of its members at NewYork-Presbyterian voted to ratify the 3-year contract, which includes provisions for staffing improvements, raises topping 12% over 3 years, and safeguards on the use of artificial intelligence. During the strike, the hospitals brought in thousands of temporary nurses, transferred some patients, and canceled some procedures, though they maintained they were still delivering care smoothly.

  • The nurses went on strike on January 12, 2026.
  • The nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian voted to ratify the new contract on February 22, 2026.

The players

New York State Nurses Association

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

NewYork-Presbyterian

The privately run hospital system where over 4,000 nurses went on strike for more than a month before approving a new 3-year contract.

Montefiore

One of the other major private hospital systems in New York City where nurses went on strike earlier this month before reaching a contract agreement with the union.

Mount Sinai

Another major private hospital system in New York City where nurses went on strike earlier this month before reaching a contract agreement with the union.

Nancy Hagans

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 demonstrates the power of collective action by healthcare workers to secure better working conditions and compensation. The new contracts represent significant victories for the nurses, but ongoing vigilance will be needed to ensure the hospitals uphold the terms of the agreements.