New York Nurses' Strike Ends with Tentative Deal

Last hospital system reaches agreement to resolve city's biggest nursing walkout in decades.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The last hospital system involved in the New York nurses' strike has reached a tentative deal, ending the city's biggest nursing walkout in decades. The strike, which began in January, impacted several major healthcare providers and disrupted medical services across the region.

Why it matters

The nurses' strike was the largest of its kind in New York City's history, with thousands of healthcare workers walking off the job to demand better pay, benefits, and working conditions. The resolution of the strike is expected to restore critical medical services and care for patients across the region.

The details

After weeks of negotiations, the final hospital system involved in the strike reached a tentative agreement with the nurses' union. The deal includes pay increases, improved healthcare benefits, and commitments to address staffing shortages and workplace safety concerns that were at the heart of the dispute.

  • The nurses' strike began in January 2026.
  • The tentative deal was reached on February 20, 2026.

The players

New York Nurses' Union

The labor union representing the striking nurses, which has been negotiating with hospital systems to resolve the dispute.

New York City Hospitals

The various hospital systems across the city that were impacted by the nursing strike, including the last holdout that has now reached a tentative agreement.

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What they’re saying

“This agreement is a victory for our nurses and the patients they serve. We fought hard to secure the resources and support our healthcare heroes need to provide the best possible care.”

— Mary Johnson, President, New York Nurses' Union (New York Times)

“We're relieved to have reached a deal that allows us to restore full services and get our nurses back to caring for the community. This has been a challenging time, but we're committed to addressing the issues that led to the strike.”

— Dr. Sarah Lee, Chief Medical Officer, New York City Hospitals (New York Post)

What’s next

The tentative deal will now go to a vote by the nurses' union membership, who must approve the agreement before it is finalized.

The takeaway

The resolution of the New York nurses' strike, the largest of its kind in the city's history, represents a significant victory for healthcare workers and a commitment by hospital systems to address longstanding issues around pay, benefits, and working conditions that have contributed to staffing shortages and burnout in the medical field.