On Monday, thousands of medical professionals took a historic step by participating in the largest nurses’ strike ever recorded in New York City. Meanwhile, a prominent hospital accused the nurses’ union of making demands that were deemed unreasonable, including calls for leniency towards nurses who may arrive at work under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Montefiore Medical Center, located in the Bronx, expressed concerns to Fox News Digital, arguing that the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) is prioritizing the interests of nurses over the safety of patients.

“The insistence by NYSNA leadership that a nurse should not face termination if found impaired by drugs or alcohol while on duty is yet another instance of them favoring their own interests over patient safety,” stated Joe Solmonese, Senior Vice President of Strategic Communications at Montefiore, in a statement to Fox News Digital.

The hospital further pointed out that the union is advocating for what they consider an excessive pay increase.

Nurses from New York-Presbyterian and Columbia University Irving Medical Center were seen protesting outside the hospital on January 12, 2026, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

“As they persist with their $3.6 billion in what we view as reckless demands, including a nearly 40% wage hike, our dedication to ensuring safe and uninterrupted care remains unwavering,” Solmonese added.

NYSNA did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. 

On Monday, roughly 15,000 nurses represented by the NYSNA went on strike after months of negotiations failed to produce an agreement. The walkout affected several major medical institutions, including Montefiore, Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian (NYP).

NYSNA argued that hospital executives have been prioritizing corporate profits and high administrative salaries over patient care. They claimed that the three health care systems involved collectively held more than $1.6 billion in cash as of September 2025. The union also noted that CEO compensation at these facilities rose by 54% between 2020 and 2023, with one executive earning $26.3 million in 2024 alone.

“Management at the richest hospitals in New York City are threatening to discontinue or radically cut nurses’ health benefits,” NYSNA said, adding that the cuts would affect 27,000 nurses at over 50 hospitals in the state.

Nurses strike outside the Milstein Hospital Building on Jan. 12, 2026, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

NYSNA President Nancy Hagans added in a statement: “Unfortunately, greedy hospital executives have decided to put profits above safe patient care and force nurses out on strike when we would rather be at the bedsides of our patients. Hospital management refuses to address our most important issues—patient and nurse safety.  It is shameful that the city’s richest hospitals refuse to continue healthcare benefits for frontline nurses, refuse to staff safely for our patients, and refuse to protect us from workplace violence. It is deeply offensive that they would rather use their billions to fight against their own nurses than settle a fair contract. Nurses do not want to strike, but our bosses have forced us out on strike.”  

Mount Sinai slammed the union’s economic demands as “extreme,” warning that they were simply impossible to meet.

“Unfortunately, NYSNA decided to move forward with its strike while refusing to move on from its extreme economic demands, which we cannot agree to, but we are ready with 1,400 qualified and specialized nurses – and prepared to continue to provide safe patient care for as long as this strike lasts,” Mount Sinai said Monday.

The NYP also told Fox News Digital that the health system has proposed sizable wage increases but stressed that reaching an agreement requires flexibility from both parties.

“While NYSNA has told nurses to walk away from the bedside, we remain focused on our patients and their care. This strike is designed to create disruption, but we have taken the necessary steps, so our patients continue to receive the care they trust us to provide,” the NYP said.

“We’re ready to keep negotiating a fair and reasonable contract that reflects our respect for our nurses and the critical role they play, and also recognizes the challenging realities of today’s healthcare environment,” it added.

“We have proposed significant wage increases that keep our nurses among the highest paid in the city, enhancements to their outstanding employer-funded benefits and new measures that reflect our shared commitment to safe staffing and workplace safety. However, good faith bargaining requires compromise from both sides.”