The Brian Lehrer Show Why New York City's Nurses are on Strike
Jan 13, 2026
Nancy Hagans, President of the New York State Nurses Association and a dedicated nurse, reveals the core demands driving the striking nurses of NYC: ensuring safe staffing, protecting against workplace violence, and maintaining health coverage. She discusses the stark contrast between hospital spending on temporary replacements and their claims of financial strain. Callers highlight terrifying frontline experiences amid short staffing while Hagans draws attention to the need for safe environments, spotlighting support from Mayor Mamdani and the importance of patient safety.
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Strike Frames Care Versus Costs
- Thousands of nurses across major NYC private hospitals walked out over safety, staffing, pay, and broken promises.
- The strike forces a showdown between frontline care priorities and hospital cost-saving claims.
Staffing Rollbacks Threaten Safety
- Nancy Hagans says hospitals rolled back staffing protections won three years ago, worsening patient and worker safety.
- She links staffing cuts directly to increased workplace violence and unsafe care.
Cost Arguments Versus Executive Pay
- Hospitals claim rising costs make current medical benefits unsustainable while union points to CEO pay and strike-prep spending.
- Nancy Hagans highlights a disparity between executive compensation and proposed cuts to nurses' coverage.