New York City’s largest nurses’ strike in history began Monday after union negotiations with five major hospitals failed.

Nearly 15,000 nurses at Mount Sinai, Montefiore, and NewYork-Presbyterian walked off the job, demanding pay increases, safer staffing levels, full health coverage, pensions, and protections against workplace violence.

Hospitals say they are prepared to maintain patient care despite the strike, while the union warned that executives are prioritizing profits over safety.

Governor Hochul declared a state of emergency, urging both sides to reach an agreement, and city leaders, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani, publicly supported the nurses, ABC News has reported.

The strike comes as New York faces a flu surge and follows previous labor disputes, with union leaders emphasizing that patient care remains their priority.