New York City Nurses Resume Contract Talks Amid Ongoing Strike

Fri Jan 16 2026 22:18:02 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Nurses in New York City have restarted negotiations with major hospital systems amid a strike that has lasted for five days, signaling their commitment to resolving staffing concerns and improving working conditions.

The New York State Nurses Association has resumed contract negotiations with Mount Sinai hospitals after five days of striking. Although initial talks yielded little progress, both parties remain committed to addressing staffing issues. Meanwhile, discussions with another hospital system, Montefiore, have not yet resumed. Temporary nurses are filling in at affected hospitals as normal operations continue.

NEW YORK (RTW) — New York City nurses have reignited contract negotiations amid a strike that has now extended into its fifth day. The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) announced on Friday the commencement of talks with representatives from the Mount Sinai hospital network, following the intervention of a mediator.

In a prior meeting, union representatives engaged in negotiations with NewYork-Presbyterian officials alongside a federal mediator. However, those discussions concluded without significant advancement. The latest communique from the hospital indicated that while they aimed to address the union’s staffing concerns, they deemed the union's proposals to be “unreasonable.”

The NYSNA expressed disappointment as their newly revised proposals were swiftly rebuffed by hospital officials, who failed to counter with alternative suggestions. Notably, nurses observed as discussions extended past midnight, reflecting the union's commitment to transparency with its members.

“Despite our ongoing differences, we remain dedicated to negotiating in good faith,” conveyed a NewYork-Presbyterian representative. “Our commitment to safe staffing levels remains priority, ensuring we uphold the best ratios in the city.”

Looking ahead, negotiations with another major healthcare provider, Montefiore, have yet to recommence, complicating the strike's resolution. The NYSNA anticipated negotiations would occur on Friday, a claim Montefiore disputed, amplifying tensions between the parties.

“NYSNA nurses respect the mediating process and are ready to engage when called,” remarked Nancy Hagans, the union president. “We hope hospital executives will similarly embrace this opportunity.”

While independent negotiations between the unions and hospitals are underway, various hospitals within the three systems affected by the strike have continued to function, utilizing hired temporary nurses to maintain operations. Dr. Philip Ozuah, president of the Montefiore Einstein campus, did express gratitude towards employees maintaining service amid the crises, attesting to their dedication and resilient nature.