Thousands of New York City Nurses Plan Major Strike as Contract Talks Stall

Thousands of nurses at major New York City hospitals are expected to begin a strike on Monday after labor negotiations failed to produce a new contract agreement before the deadline.

Union officials say more than 16,000 nurses are prepared to walk off the job, marking what could become the largest nursing strike in the city’s history. The action is scheduled to begin early Monday morning and will affect several large hospital systems across the city.

The New York State Nurses Association confirmed that nurses at Mount Sinai facilities will start picketing at 6 a.m., with additional participation expected at hospitals operated by Montefiore and New York Presbyterian. The nurses’ previous contract expired at the end of December.

Union leaders say their demands center on improved wages, stronger staffing levels, and safer working conditions. They argue that nurses are facing increased workplace violence and overwhelming patient loads, especially during a surge in flu-related hospitalizations statewide.

City officials say emergency plans are in place to ensure patients continue to receive care. Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated that public safety agencies and health departments are closely coordinating in preparation for all possible outcomes. He emphasized both the importance of uninterrupted health care access and the need to fairly compensate frontline medical workers.

Nurses say safety concerns have grown in recent months, pointing to violent incidents inside hospital facilities as evidence of worsening conditions. Many staff members report feeling at risk while caring for patients and say stronger protections are urgently needed.

Hospital administrators maintain that facilities will remain open despite the strike. Mount Sinai representatives said contingency plans have been activated and temporary staffing arrangements are in place if the strike continues for an extended period.

Not all hospitals are affected. Several facilities on Long Island have already reached agreements with nurses, avoiding similar labor action.

Negotiations could still resume, but as of Monday morning, nurses say they are prepared to strike while hoping for a last-minute resolution.