New York City nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital are continuing a strike that entered its sixth week on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Approximately 4,200 nurses represented by the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) are demanding improvements to staffing levels to ensure patient safety.
Bargaining to Resume
Mediators have called for NYSNA and NewYork-Presbyterian to return to the bargaining table on Thursday, February 19. NYSNA President Nancy Hagans stated, “We glance forward to making progress toward a contract that protects patients. NYP nurses have shown that they will not compromise on patient care and are willing to do whatever it takes to get the contracts their communities deserve.”
Arbitration Win, Appeals Pending
On Monday, February 16, nurses at the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital (CHONY) – a NewYork-Presbyterian facility – won an arbitration award related to unsafe staffing in the pediatric intensive care unit. The arbitrator found the hospital violated nurse contract staffing provisions 614 times between January 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024, awarding nurses $399,829. This is the third such award for NYP RNs, totaling approximately $675,000 and 141 extra vacation days to remedy staffing violations across three units. However, NewYork-Presbyterian has appealed all arbitration awards to date, meaning nurses have not yet received any financial compensation.
Beth Loudin, a local leader from NewYork-Presbyterian, said, “We are eager to get back to the table with NewYork-Presbyterian and make progress on job security and staffing. We’ve fought for six long weeks because we want the best for our patients and are excited to return to care for New Yorkers.” Nurses recently rejected a mediator’s proposal, citing concerns that it did not adequately address staffing levels.
The latest picket line schedule can be found at www.nysna.org/strike.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the nurses striking over?
The 4,200 NYSNA nurses are striking to demand improvements to safe staffing levels at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
Has the hospital responded to the nurses’ demands?
NewYork-Presbyterian has appealed every arbitration award made in favor of the nurses, and bargaining is set to resume on Thursday, February 19, after being called back to the table by mediators.
How much money has been awarded to nurses through arbitration?
Arbitrators have awarded NYP RNs approximately $675,000 and 141 extra vacation days to remedy staffing violations on three different units, but these awards are currently on appeal.
As negotiations resume, what impact will a resolution – or continued stalemate – have on patient care at NewYork-Presbyterian?
