The month‑long nurses’ strike that began on January 12 in New York City has reached a pivotal moment on Friday, February 13, 2026. While the strike has already forced hospitals to negotiate, the outcome remains uneven: nurses at Monte Ferro and Mount Sinai have approved tentative agreements, but those at New York‑Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center continue to picket, refusing to accept the terms offered.
This split outcome is a stark illustration of the class struggle in contemporary capitalism. The nurses—who perform the most labor‑intensive, life‑saving work in the health‑care system—are demanding higher wages, better staffing ratios, and improved working conditions. Their demands are not merely about individual benefit; they are a direct challenge to the profit‑driven logic that prioritizes shareholder returns over patient care and worker welfare.
The strike as a class struggle
From a Marxist perspective, the nurses’ strike is a classic example of the proletariat confronting the bourgeoisie’s exploitation. The hospitals, owned by private investors or public entities that ultimately answer to shareholders, have historically cut costs by understaffing and underpaying. The nurses, as the primary labor force, are forced to work longer hours under stressful conditions, yet their wages remain stagnant. The strike forces the capitalists to confront the contradiction between their need for a productive workforce and their desire to maximize profits.
Trotsky once argued that the working class must organize itself into a revolutionary party capable of directing collective action. The nurses’ union, the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), has demonstrated the power of collective bargaining, but the uneven settlement shows that the union’s influence can be diluted when the employer’s bargaining power is unevenly distributed. The continued picketing at New York‑Presbyterian underscores the necessity of a unified, disciplined class organization that can sustain pressure until the workers’ demands are met.
The role of the state and the capitalist class
The fact that the strike has attracted significant media attention and public sympathy highlights the role of the state in mediating class conflict. While the state can provide a legal framework for collective bargaining, it also serves the interests of the capitalist class by protecting property rights and ensuring that labor disputes do not disrupt the broader economy. The partial settlement—where some hospitals have conceded while others have not—illustrates how the state can be used to fragment the working class, preventing a unified front.
Lessons for the broader socialist movement
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Solidarity across sectors: The nurses’ strike shows that workers in different industries can benefit from coordinated action. A broader coalition of healthcare workers, teachers, and other essential service workers could amplify pressure on the capitalist system.
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Strategic use of public opinion: The strike has garnered public support, partly because it directly affects patient care. Socialist movements can harness this sentiment to build a broader base for systemic change.
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Need for a professional revolutionary party: The uneven outcome underscores the importance of a disciplined, theory‑based organization that can guide workers through the complexities of bargaining and maintain unity.
Conclusion
The nurses’ strike in New York City is more than a labor dispute; it is a microcosm of the ongoing class struggle. It demonstrates both the power of collective action and the challenges posed by a fragmented capitalist system. For those committed to socialist theory, the strike offers a concrete example of how workers can confront exploitation, and it reminds us that sustained, organized effort—grounded in Marxist analysis—is essential for achieving lasting change.