Largest Nurses Strike in New York City History Ends

Holdout workers ratify contract with over 12% pay increase and improved staffing standards

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The largest nurses strike in New York City history has come to an end after the last holdout workers overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new contract with their employers. The 41-day labor action involved around 15,000 nurses from the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) who walked off the job on January 12th, seeking better pay, safer staffing levels, and protections against workplace violence and artificial intelligence.

Why it matters

This strike was a major test for the labor movement in New York City, with nurses fighting for improved working conditions that would also benefit patient care. The resolution of the strike through a contract that meets many of the nurses' key demands is seen as a significant victory for the union and the broader healthcare workforce.

The details

The new three-year contract includes over a 12% increase in salaries, enforceable safe staffing standards, improved protections against workplace violence, and safeguards against the use of artificial intelligence. The contract was first approved by around 10,500 NYSNA nurses employed by the Montefiore, Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai Morningside and West hospital systems last week. The final holdout group of around 4,200 nurses employed by the New York-Presbyterian system voted on Saturday to ratify the agreement, with 93% voting in favor.

  • The nurses strike began on January 12, 2026.
  • The contract with the New York-Presbyterian system nurses was ratified on February 18, 2026.
  • Nurses in the Montefiore, Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai Morningside and West systems ratified their contract the previous week.

The players

New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA)

The union representing the striking nurses, which negotiated the new contracts with the hospital systems.

New York-Presbyterian

The private hospital system that employed the final group of holdout nurses who ratified the contract.

Kathy Hochul

The Governor of New York, who expressed relief that the strike was over and praised the nurses for their critical role in the healthcare system.

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What they’re saying

“This is a proud moment for our union. We are so happy with the wins we achieved, and now the fight to enforce these contracts and hold our employers accountable begins.”

— Nancy Hagans, NYSNA President (ksro.com)

“Nurses are the backbone of our health care system. I am grateful that NYSNA has overwhelmingly ratified an agreement with New York Presbyterian recognizing the exceptionally difficult work our nurses do day in and out.”

— Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York (ksro.com)

What’s next

With the contracts now ratified, the focus will shift to implementing the new terms, including the improved staffing standards and protections for nurses. The union has vowed to hold the hospital systems accountable to ensure the contracts are fully enforced.

The takeaway

This historic strike and its resolution through hard-fought contract negotiations demonstrate the power of nurses to advocate for better working conditions that also benefit patient care. The outcome is seen as a major victory for the labor movement and a validation of the critical role nurses play in the healthcare system.