The most important nurses strike in New York Metropolis historical past is underway after negotiators for 5 main hospitals and the state nurses union did not agree to a brand new contract by Monday’s deadline.
The New York State Nurses Affiliation stated practically 15,000 nurses at the moment are strolling off their jobs at 5 privately-run hospitals, together with Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside, Mount Sinai West and NewYork-Presbyterian in Manhattan, and Montefiore Einstein within the Bronx.
NYSNA stated nurses at Mount Sinai began the strike at 6 a.m., whereas nurses on the remaining hospitals began picketing an hour later.
Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in anticipation of the strike amid worries it may jeopardize crucial look after 1000’s of sufferers within the metropolis.
Nurses strike exterior Mount Sinai West Hospital on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York.
Yuki Iwamura / AP
Montefiore stated it was getting ready for the strike to final a number of weeks.
“NYSNA’s leaders proceed to double down on their $3.6 billion in reckless calls for, together with practically 40% wage will increase, and their troubling proposals like demanding {that a} nurse not be terminated if discovered to be compromised by medicine or alcohol whereas on the job. We stay resolute in our dedication to offering secure and seamless care, no matter how lengthy the strike might final,” Montefiore Senior Vice President Joe Solmonese stated.
A Mount Sinai spokesperson stated, “Sadly, NYSNA determined to maneuver ahead with its strike whereas refusing to maneuver on from its excessive financial calls for, which we can’t comply with, however we’re prepared with 1,400 certified and specialised nurses — and ready to proceed to offer secure affected person care for so long as this strike lasts.”
Some nurses, nevertheless, did report back to work regardless of the strike. Mount Sinai stated 20% confirmed up on Monday.
A press release from NewYork-Presbyterian stated, “Whereas NYSNA has instructed nurses to stroll away from the bedside, we stay targeted on our sufferers and their care. This strike is designed to create disruption, however we now have taken the required steps so our sufferers proceed to obtain the care they belief us to offer … We’re able to hold negotiating a good and cheap contract that displays our respect for our nurses and the crucial position they play, and likewise acknowledges the difficult realities of at present’s healthcare setting…We’ve proposed vital wage will increase that hold our nurses among the many highest paid within the metropolis, enhancements to their excellent employer-funded advantages and new measures that mirror our shared dedication to secure staffing and office security. Nonetheless, good religion bargaining requires compromise from each side.”
Mamdani joins picket line
New York Metropolis Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined picketers exterior NewYork-Presbyterian in Washington Heights.
“In each one in every of our metropolis’s darkest intervals, nurses confirmed as much as work. Their worth isn’t negotiable and there value isn’t up for debate,” Mamdani stated. “They present up and all they’re asking for in return is dignity, respect and the honest pay and therapy that they deserve. They need to accept nothing much less.”
Mamdani launched an identical assertion the evening earlier than the strike on X.
“This metropolis can and should make sure the continuity of care. FDNY, Emergency Administration, the general public well being system and all of my senior management are working tirelessly to make sure nurses’ calls for for dignity might be heard and care remains to be acquired,” the mayor stated.
Mamdani urged each side to fulfill on the bargaining desk.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks throughout a press convention as nurses from New York-Presbyterian/Columbia College Irving Medical Middle strike exterior the hospital on January 12, 2026.
Michael M. Santiago / Getty Photographs
“They have to cut price in good religion and so they should arrive at a deal that’s passable to all, that enables the nurses who work on this metropolis to stay on this metropolis,” he stated.
Hochul additionally stated she desires a deal made as quickly as doable.
Why are nurses on strike?
Each side bargained all through the weekend, however had been unable to achieve a deal.
NYSNA has accused Montefiore, Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian of placing earnings over secure affected person care. The union stated the wealthiest hospital methods within the metropolis are refusing to compromise on points like pay raises, secure staffing ranges, full well being care protection, pensions, and office protections towards violence.
“Well being care staff are being stretched to their limits, and as office violence in hospitals is on the rise, nurses are asking merely for the fundamentals,” New York Legal professional Basic Letitia James stated on the information convention with Mamdani.
Cecilia Barreto, a registered nurse picketing exterior Mount Sinai West, stated hanging was a final resort.
“I’ve been right here two years and I’ve made such nice bonds with the nurses right here, and I do know that there are nurses who’ve battled most cancers and depend upon their well being care. So we have to ensure that the well being care we obtain stays intact as a result of their lives depend upon it,” Barreto stated.
“As a substitute of guaranteeing well being look after nurses, these rich hospitals are pushing to chop well being advantages for nurses who put their very own well being on the road to look after New Yorkers,” Nancy Hagans, president of NYSNA, stated on Saturday.
Nurses strike exterior Mount Sinai West Hospital on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York.
Yuki Iwamura / AP
An earlier assertion from Montefiore referred to as among the calls for “reckless and irresponsible.” The entire hospitals impacted referred to as the strike “reckless” in a joint assertion, accusing the nurses of abandoning sufferers.
“NYSNA management has chosen to desert sufferers of their time of want, however Montefiore Medical Middle, Mount Sinai, and NewYork-Presbyterian won’t. Their resolution to stroll out on our sufferers can solely be described as reckless,” the hospitals stated.
Some hospitals within the space had been in a position to attain a deal with NYSNA, together with all of Northwell Well being services in Nassau County, whereas others beforehand pulled again their strike notices.
What the strike means for sufferers
Gov. Hochul final week signed government orders to make sure the state Division of Well being has employees on the impacted hospitals all through the New York Metropolis nurses strike, guaranteeing affected person security and continuity of care.
Montefiore stated that emergency rooms will stay open.
Hospital officers stated nobody ought to delay therapy or postpone appointments, however sufferers needs to be alert for any direct updates from their well being care suppliers.
NYSNA additionally stated sufferers ought to proceed to hunt care, with leaders at a information convention Sunday saying going to get care isn’t crossing a strike line.
The underside line for sufferers is that the hospitals will stay open and care will proceed through the strike.
Some relations of sufferers are involved because the strike continues on Monday evening.
Nurses cannot decide up prescriptions at Montefiore Hospital
A video reveals one nurse being denied entry to the Montefiore Weiler Hospital whereas making an attempt to choose up prescriptions.
The nurse stated staff’ medical health insurance is thru Montefiore, and so they can solely decide up drugs from a Montefiore pharmacy.
“Moreover, many nurses stay within the Bronx, and their households get their care from Montefiore. If their household goes to the ER or is admitted, they’re saying we will not go go to them,” the nurse stated in a press release.
The lady within the video tells the safety guard she is contracted to obtain drugs solely by this pharmacy.
The guard says they need to’ve made preparations to choose up the treatment earlier than, as they knew the strike was taking place on Monday.
A Montefiore spokesperson stated nurses who’re on strike can request their prescriptions be delivered on to their properties.
“NYSNA nurses are in a position to attend any medical appointments scheduled on the medical middle through the strike, in addition to go to any relations who’re inpatients, so long as they’ll present correct documentation,” a press release learn.