By Joseph De Avila
The last group of striking New York City nurses have reached a tentative agreement with NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, potentially bringing to an end the largest and longest nursing strike in the city's history.
NewYork-Presbyterian said Friday a mediator helped facilitate a deal with the New York State Nurses Association. If ratified by about 4,200 nurses, the deal will mark the end of nearly six weeks of strike action involving roughly 15,000 nurses.
"The wins of our private-sector nurses will improve care for patients, and their perseverance and endurance have shown people worldwide the power of NYSNA nurses," said Nancy Hagans, president of the nurses union.
Nurses at three major hospital groups, including NewYork-Presbyterian, started contract negotiations in September. After failing to reach a deal, nearly 15,000 went on strike on Jan. 12.
Nurses at Montefiore Medical Center, Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West returned to work Saturday after approving new contracts.
In the tentative agreement, the NewYork-Presbyterian nurses secured salary increases by more than 12% over the life of the proposed three-year contract. The deal also provides protections against workplace violence and new rules about staffing levels.
NewYork-Presbyterian nurses will begin voting on the contract Friday. If approved, they will return to work next week, the union said.
"This is a win for the future of healthcare for our communities and a testament to the power of working people," said Beth Loudin, local leader at NewYork-Presbyterian.
Write to Joseph De Avila at joseph.deavila@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 20, 2026 09:23 ET (14:23 GMT)
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