By Micah Jonah
January 14, 2026
Nearly 15,000 nurses in New York City walked off the job on Monday in the largest strike in the city’s history, demanding improved staffing, stronger health benefits, and safer working conditions. The walkout covered three major private hospital systems Mount Sinai, Montefiore, and NewYork-Presbyterian.
The New York State Nursing Association said management had refused to make meaningful progress on core issues despite months of negotiations, including safe staffing ratios, protections against workplace violence, and healthcare coverage. Nurses allege hospitals are attempting to roll back staffing standards and threaten cuts to health benefits.
The strike comes during a severe flu season that has pushed hospitals to record levels of emergency room visits, adding urgency to nurses’ demands. Activists and union leaders highlight that these healthcare professionals continue to face chronic understaffing and overwork, a situation amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Political leaders joined the picket lines, including New York City Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, who reaffirmed the city’s commitment to nurses and patient care. Governor Kathy Hochul, seeking re-election, acknowledged the need to protect patients while negotiating fair contracts for frontline healthcare workers.
The strike follows incidents of violence at hospitals in recent months, including a fatal shooting at NewYork-Presbyterian and an active shooter event at Mount Sinai, fueling the union’s calls for stronger workplace protections.
Union representatives stressed that the hospitals’ offer of one-time lump-sum payments does not meet long-term staffing and safety needs. Lawmakers and community activists described the nurses as united, determined to press for lasting change.
This action marks a significant political and social test for New York, highlighting the essential role of nurses and the continued fight for fair treatment and patient safety in the nation’s largest city.
