The largest nurses’ strike in New York City’s history began Monday morning after labor negotiations between the nurses’ union and hospital administrators collapsed without a tentative agreement.

Nearly 16,000 nurses were poised to walk off the job, according to the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), which represents nursing staff at several major hospitals across the city.

Union president Nancy Hagans said hospital executives chose profits over patient safety by refusing to address key concerns. She stated that nurses would rather remain at patients’ bedsides but were left with no alternative after management failed to act on issues involving safe staffing and workplace protections.

Picket lines were scheduled to form at 6 a.m. at Mount Sinai Hospital and its Morningside and West campuses. By 7 a.m., nurses were expected to begin marching outside Montefiore Bronx and NewYork-Presbyterian facilities. A union press conference was set for 10 a.m. at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

Governor Kathy Hochul had declared a state of emergency on Friday in anticipation of the strike, warning that a work stoppage could endanger patient care across the city. She urged both sides to remain at the negotiating table until an agreement was reached.

The strike affects five privately operated hospitals — Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside, Mount Sinai West, Montefiore Einstein, and NewYork-Presbyterian — which the union describes as among the city’s wealthiest medical institutions.

Hospital officials said they have contingency plans in place to continue providing care during the labor disruption and advised the public not to delay seeking emergency medical attention.

Union leaders reported no progress in talks as of Sunday, saying more than 15,000 nurses remain without a contract. The NYSNA is seeking wage increases, enforceable staffing ratios, comprehensive health benefits, pension guarantees, and stronger protections against workplace violence.