The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) has issued 10‑day strike notices to 12 New York City hospitals, setting the stage for what could become the largest nurse strike in the city’s history. The notices, delivered Jan. 2, come after union contracts expired Dec. 31 and nurses voted overwhelmingly on Dec. 22 to authorize a walkout.

If no agreements are reached, as many as 20,000 nurses could strike on Jan. 12, a move the union says is necessary to secure safe staffing, protect healthcare benefits, and strengthen workplace violence safeguards.

NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, BSN, RN, said nurses are fighting to preserve standards they previously won:

“Management is refusing to guarantee our healthcare benefits and trying to roll back the safe staffing standards we fought for and won… Striking is always a last resort; however, nurses will not stop until we win contracts that deliver patient and nurse safety.”

Hospitals Receiving Strike Notices

The 12 hospitals notified include:

• BronxCare Health System
• The Brooklyn Hospital Center
• Flushing Hospital Medical Center
• Interfaith Medical Center / One Brooklyn Health
• Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center / One Brooklyn Health
• Maimonides Medical Center
• Montefiore Medical Center
• Mount Sinai Hospital
• Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West
• NewYork‑Presbyterian Hospital Columbia University Medical Center
• Richmond University Medical Center
• Wyckoff Heights Medical Center

This is not the union’s first large-scale action. In 2023, about 7,000 nurses at two hospitals went on strike. NYSNA represents 42,000 nurses statewide and is affiliated with National Nurses United.

Hospitals Respond With Contingency Plans and Concerns

Hospitals across the city say they are preparing for all scenarios while continuing negotiations.

• One Brooklyn Health CEO Sandra Scott, MD, said the system is implementing contingency staffing plans and emphasized the organization’s commitment to a “fair and sustainable resolution.”
• Maimonides Medical Center said it is preparing to hire contract nurses and redeploy staff if needed, while expressing hope for an agreement.
• Montefiore Medical Center said union demands would cost $3.6 billion over the contract term and raised concerns about patient safety provisions. The system is preparing for what it expects could be a multi‑week strike.
• Mount Sinai said it is negotiating in good faith but warned that the union’s economic demands could threaten the financial stability of hospitals across the city.
• NewYork‑Presbyterian said it has offered significant wage increases and staffing commitments but called the union’s request for nearly 30% raises over three years unrealistic.
• Richmond University Medical Center reiterated its commitment to good‑faith bargaining and praised its nurses for their daily contributions.

A High‑Stakes Moment for NYC’s Healthcare System

The looming strike underscores deep tensions between frontline nurses and hospital leadership at a time when New York’s healthcare system is already strained by workforce shortages, rising patient acuity, and financial pressures. Whether the parties reach agreements or move toward the largest nurse strike in city history, the outcome will shape staffing standards, labor relations, and patient care across the region for years to come.