Mamdani backs striking NYC nurses, denounces hospital bosses’ pay

On January 12, 2026, nearly 15,000 nurses in New York City began a strike at major hospitals. The work stoppage, one of the largest healthcare strikes in recent history, involves nurses demanding improved working conditions. Specifically, they are seeking higher pay, safer staffing ratios, and enhanced security measures within the hospitals. Mayor Zohran Mamdani visited the striking nurses on the picket line. The nurses hope to pressure hospital management to address their concerns through collective bargaining.