A strike by approximately 15,000 nurses in New York City entered its second day after beginning on Monday, January 12, 2026[1][3]. It includes three major hospital systems: The Mount Sinai Hospital, NewYork-Presbyterian and Montefiore Medical Center[1]. Nurses represented by the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) are demanding better staffing, workplace safety, fair wages and health benefits[1][2]. Hospitals remain open thanks to temporary nurses, but a strike can lead to patient transfers, cancellations of procedures and rerouting of ambulances during severe flu season[1]. The unions accused the hospitals of unfair labor practices, intimidation and delaying negotiations[1]. Hospitals have called the union's demands too expensive, for example Montefiore cited a figure of $3.6 billion[1]. Governor Kathy Hochul called for negotiations recognizing the importance of nurses' work, Mayor Zohran Mamdani visited the strikers and supported their demands[1]. NYSNA President Nancy Hagans criticized hospital management for prioritizing profits over patient care[1].