Striking NewYork-Presbyterian nurses reach tentative agreement: What's next?

Tentative settlement in NY-Presbyterian Nurses' strike

FOX 5 NY's Briella Tomassetti has the latest.

NEW YORK - A tentative agreement has been reached between NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and thousands of striking nurses, potentially ending what union officials describe as the longest and largest nurses strike in New York City history.

What we know:

News of the deal came shortly after midnight. Nurses represented by the New York State Nurses Association are expected to begin voting on the proposed contract as early as today.

Are NYC nurses still on strike?

By the numbers:

About 4,200 nurses had been on strike since Jan. 12, demanding safer staffing levels and improved working conditions. 

As of early Friday, no picketing nurses were seen outside New York-Presbyterian in Washington Heights, though travel nurses continued to arrive by bus to staff the hospital.

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - FEBRUARY 6: New York City nurses, who are in a month-long strike in sub-freezing temperatures, flood Times Square to demand safe staffing levels, enhanced protection against workplace violence, and fair wages to keep up with

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What's in the agreement?

Dig deeper:

According to the union, the tentative three-year agreement includes enforceable safe staffing standards, protections for health benefits, measures to address workplace violence, safeguards for immigrant patients and nurses, and limits related to artificial intelligence in the workplace. The deal also includes salary increases of more than 12% over the life of the contract.

"We are pleased to have reached a tentative settlement with NYSNA through the mediator that reflects our tremendous respect for our nurses," a New York-Presbyterian spokesperson said in a statement, noting the agreement is subject to ratification by union members.

Mediators brought both sides back to the bargaining table earlier this week after a previous tentative agreement was rejected by union members.

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

The other side:

During the strike, hospital leaders maintained patient care by bringing in temporary nurses. Emergency procedures continued, but elective surgeries were postponed and some patients were transferred to other facilities ahead of the walkout.

Nurses at Montefiore and Mount Sinai reached separate three-year agreements earlier this month and have since returned to work.

What's next:

If ratified, the agreement at New York-Presbyterian would formally end the strike and restore full staffing by union nurses.