Why are New York City nurses on strike?

Nurses are striking due to unresolved contract negotiations, with union leaders citing management's lack of engagement with mediators and unwillingness to settle a fair contract.

How much did NYC hospitals spend to prepare for the nurse strike?

Hospitals collectively spent over $100 million to prepare for the strike, including hiring temporary nursing staff.

What is Governor Kathy Hochul doing about the NYC nurse strike?

Governor Hochul has deployed state Department of Health staff to affected hospitals to ensure patient safety and continuity of care during the strike.

Home / Health / Thousands of Nurses Walk Out in NYC

Thousands of Nurses Walk Out in NYC

12 Jan

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Summary

Nurses cite lack of mediator engagement by management.
Hospitals spent over $100 million preparing for the strike.
Governor deploys state health department staff to hospitals.

Thousands of nurses across three New York City health systems have initiated a strike, with union leaders accusing management of showing "zero interest" in averting the action and failing to engage meaningfully with mediators. Nurses expressed deep offense that management would "rather use their billions to fight against their own nurses than settle a fair contract." This strike follows months of negotiations over new three-year contracts, with the prior agreements having expired on December 31.

The nurses' action is significantly larger than a 2023 strike at two of the same hospitals, which led to substantial improvements in nurse-to-patient staffing ratios. Previously, Montefiore and Mount Sinai were ordered by arbitrators to pay millions in penalties for understaffed shifts. Hospital officials contend that the union's demands are unreasonable and would cost billions, especially with anticipated federal health care cuts. They also state that nurse vacancy rates have decreased significantly over the past three years.