NYSNA Update: February 27, 2026
Victory! NYP Nurses Ratify New Contract and Return to Work!
On Jan. 12, approximately 15,000 nurses walked out, striking for safe staffing, safety protections and more. After six weeks, all 15,000 nurses have finally returned to the bedside. This past weekend, nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian (NYP), the last hospital to remain on strike, ratified a new contract that protects nurses and patients. Along with their union siblings at Mount Sinai Morningside and West, Mount Sinai Hospital and Montefiore, NYP nurses secured contracts that enforce safe staffing standards, protect health coverage for nurses and protect nurses from workplace violence.
Hospital bosses continue to retaliate against nurses who went on strike. They are still playing games with nurses' return to work, including ignoring seniority, targeting union leaders, blocking APRNs from keeping appointments with patients who need care, denying clinical opportunities, and violating the agreement — which clearly states that no nurse’s return can be delayed because of an agency nurse. We will continue to vigorously defend our members’ rights and hold management accountable to the agreement.
During this historic nurse strike, nurses at those three hospital systems faced some of the wealthiest, largest private employers in the city and fought against unseen levels of union-busting, public denigration and delay tactics. Despite this, nurses achieved contracts that set industry standards and will improve care for New Yorkers. Nurses overwhelmingly ratified contracts, and they are returning to their hospitals holding their heads high knowing that they accomplished what they set out to do.
Hospital bosses continue to retaliate against nurses who went on strike. They are still playing games with nurses' return to work, including ignoring seniority, targeting union leaders, blocking APRNs from keeping appointments with patients who need care, denying clinical opportunities, and violating the agreement — which clearly states that no nurse’s return can be delayed because of an agency nurse. We will continue to vigorously defend our members’ rights and hold management accountable to the agreement.
NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN, said, “We have said from the very beginning, when employers pushed 15,000 nurses out on strike, that we will not stop fighting until we achieve what our communities deserve. The city’s largest nurse strike helped nurses secure contracts that protect patients with safe staffing standards; secure our health benefits, which greedy employers wanted to take away; and create safer hospitals. After 41 days, nurses not only improved care, they set an example for the rest of the labor movement.”
NYSNA Executive Director Pat Kane, RN, CNOR(e), added, “The healthcare industry is one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful, industry in this city. When nurses took on hospitals, they took on some of the state’s biggest private employers. Their achievements show the city that when workers take action and remain united, they can fight back against the healthcare industry’s greed, advocate for patients and change healthcare for the better.” After six long weeks, we can finally say, when we fight, we win!
The media has been following this historic strike closely. Some of the highlights include The Associated Press, WAMC, AMNY, New York Times, Crain’s, Voz Hispana, CBS, PIX11, ABC7, NY1, Becker’s, Fierce Healthcare, Gothamist, News10 and WNYC.
To see more photos and highlights from the last few months, visit our Facebook page.
Adirondack Medical Center Nurses Deliver Petition
Bargaining in the North Country is heating up! On Feb. 23, NYSNA nurses at Adirondack Medical Center delivered a petition to hospital management demanding a fair contract. Along with nurses across the North Country, Adirondack nurses have been demanding safe staffing, wages and benefits to retain nurses, the resources their communities need and a stronger voice for bedside nurses. Because hospital management has refused to come to the table for nearly one month, nurses marched to the CEO’s office to demand that he return to the table and negotiate a fair contract.
NYSNA Joins Albany Takeover
On Wednesday, Feb. 25, NYSNA nurses joined labor and community allies and elected officials, including Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forrest and Council Member Chi Ossé, in Albany to demand that New York State Tax the Rich! With the federal government attacking healthcare, social services, education and programs that working families rely on, New York state needs to step up. It’s time for the millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share so New York can prioritize the needs of working families!