NYC Nurses End Strike at Major Hospitals After Tentative Deal/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Nurses and two major New York City hospital systems reached a tentative deal to end a nearly monthlong strike. The agreement covers Mount Sinai and Montefiore hospitals, while nurses remain on strike at NewYork-Presbyterian. Staffing levels, safety protections, pay raises, and health benefits were central to the negotiations.
NYC Nursing Strike Deal Quick Looks
- Tentative deal reached with Mount Sinai and Montefiore hospital systems
- Nurses remain on strike at NewYork-Presbyterian
- Walkout began Jan. 12 during peak flu season
- Deal covers about 10,500 nurses
- Contract includes 12% raises over three years
- No added out-of-pocket health care costs for nurses
- New workplace violence and AI protections included
- Ratification votes scheduled this week
Deep Look: NYC Nurses End Strike at Major Hospitals After Tentative Deal
NEW YORK (AP) — Nurses and two of New York City’s largest hospital systems have reached a tentative agreement to end a nearly monthlong strike that strained hospitals during flu season and focused attention on staffing, workplace safety, and compensation.
The agreement, announced Monday by the New York State Nurses Association, applies to the Montefiore Health System and the Mount Sinai Health System. Nurses remain on strike at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, where negotiations are ongoing.
The strike began Jan. 12 and involved nearly 15,000 nurses across some of the city’s largest private, nonprofit hospitals. During the walkout, hospitals scrambled to bring in temporary nurses and postponed elective procedures to maintain critical care services.
What’s in the Tentative Deal
The proposed three-year contracts would cover roughly 10,500 nurses and include a 12% pay increase over three years, according to the union. The agreement also preserves existing health benefits without increasing out-of-pocket costs for nurses.
In addition, the pact includes new protections aimed at improving workplace safety — a key concern for nurses — including measures addressing violence in hospitals and specific safeguards for transgender and immigrant nurses and patients. The union said the contracts also place limits on the use of artificial intelligence in clinical settings.
“For four weeks, nearly 15,000 NYSNA members held the line in the cold and in the snow for safe patient care,” said union president Nancy Hagans. “Now, nurses at Montefiore and Mount Sinai systems are heading back to the bedside with our heads held high.”
Ratification and Return to Work
Nurses at Montefiore, Mount Sinai, and Mount Sinai Morningside and West are expected to begin voting on ratifying the agreements starting Monday. If approved, nurses would return to work on Saturday.
A spokesperson for Montefiore confirmed that nurses are expected to vote Wednesday but declined further comment. Representatives for Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Core Disputes
Staffing levels were a central issue throughout negotiations. Nurses argued they were routinely overloaded and said hospitals refused to commit to enforceable staffing ratios that would protect both workers and patients. Hospital leaders countered that they have hired aggressively over the past three years to recover from pandemic-era staffing shortages.
Workplace safety also loomed large. Concerns escalated after a gunman entered a Mount Sinai facility in November and another armed man barricaded himself inside a Brooklyn hospital last month — both incidents ending with police killing the suspects.
Hospital systems described the union’s demands as excessive, noting that unionized nurses already earn average salaries between $162,000 and $165,000 annually, not including benefits. Nurses responded that executive compensation running into the millions highlights misplaced priorities.
Political Attention and What’s Next
The strike drew visits to picket lines from several high-profile politicians, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who voiced support for the nurses’ demands.
Not all hospitals within the three systems were affected by the strike, and city-run public hospitals continued operating normally. Some private hospitals reached last-minute deals to avoid joining the walkout.
Nurses at Mount Sinai and Montefiore previously staged a shorter strike in 2023, which resulted in significant pay raises and provisions meant to address staffing shortages. Whether the latest agreement delivers lasting change may depend on how its staffing and safety provisions are enforced — and whether talks at NewYork-Presbyterian lead to a similar resolution.
