Thousands of nurses and healthcare workers in Massachusetts have voted to strike beginning July 8 in what may be the largest strike of its kind in the state.Two strikes involve more than 4,000 registered nurses at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and approximately 450 clinicians at MGB Home Care, who are represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association. The group said the hospital has not offered adequate cost-of-living raises. The nurses have scheduled a one-day strike that is set to begin Wednesday, July 8, at 7 a.m.The Massachusetts Nurses Association said that although the nurse strike only lasts one day, the hospital plans to lock nurses out of the facility for an additional four days.”MGB executives are forcing 4,000 Brigham nurses to strike by choosing corporate profits over patient care,” said Kelly Morgan, a labor and delivery nurse and chair of the BWH MNA Bargaining Committee. “MGB has spent years disrespecting nurses and ignoring our safety concerns. Executives have refused for months to invest in nurses, instead making proposals that would make it harder to recruit and retain nurses. We are standing up for our patients, our profession and the future of care at the Brigham.”MGB Home Care clinicians, who are negotiating their first MNA contract after voting to unionize in June 2024, will begin a seven-day strike on July 8 at 8 a.m. The MGB Home Care bargaining unit includes registered nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, social workers and dietitians.The hospital argues its nurses are among the highest paid in the market and that its proposal includes raises. “We take seriously the union’s decision to strike and are fully prepared to continue providing high-quality patient care throughout a work stoppage,” Brigham and Women’s Hospital said in a statement. The hospital said it has participated in numerous sessions with the Massachusetts Nurses Association since negotiations began in November 2025.”Brigham nurses are among the highest compensated in the market, and currently receive an annual 5% step increase on wages; our proposal ensures every nurse receives a raise through annual step increases or a top-of-scale increase while also preserving competitive health benefits, retirement support, paid time off, shift differential payments, and professional development opportunities as part of our overall compensation package. We respect and value our nurses and remain committed to reaching a fair agreement,” the hospital said.
BOSTON —
Thousands of nurses and healthcare workers in Massachusetts have voted to strike beginning July 8 in what may be the largest strike of its kind in the state.
Two strikes involve more than 4,000 registered nurses at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and approximately 450 clinicians at MGB Home Care, who are represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association. The group said the hospital has not offered adequate cost-of-living raises.
The nurses have scheduled a one-day strike that is set to begin Wednesday, July 8, at 7 a.m.
The Massachusetts Nurses Association said that although the nurse strike only lasts one day, the hospital plans to lock nurses out of the facility for an additional four days.
“MGB executives are forcing 4,000 Brigham nurses to strike by choosing corporate profits over patient care,” said Kelly Morgan, a labor and delivery nurse and chair of the BWH MNA Bargaining Committee. “MGB has spent years disrespecting nurses and ignoring our safety concerns. Executives have refused for months to invest in nurses, instead making proposals that would make it harder to recruit and retain nurses. We are standing up for our patients, our profession and the future of care at the Brigham.”
MGB Home Care clinicians, who are negotiating their first MNA contract after voting to unionize in June 2024, will begin a seven-day strike on July 8 at 8 a.m. The MGB Home Care bargaining unit includes registered nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, social workers and dietitians.
The hospital argues its nurses are among the highest paid in the market and that its proposal includes raises.
“We take seriously the union’s decision to strike and are fully prepared to continue providing high-quality patient care throughout a work stoppage,” Brigham and Women’s Hospital said in a statement.
The hospital said it has participated in numerous sessions with the Massachusetts Nurses Association since negotiations began in November 2025.
“Brigham nurses are among the highest compensated in the market, and currently receive an annual 5% step increase on wages; our proposal ensures every nurse receives a raise through annual step increases or a top-of-scale increase while also preserving competitive health benefits, retirement support, paid time off, shift differential payments, and professional development opportunities as part of our overall compensation package. We respect and value our nurses and remain committed to reaching a fair agreement,” the hospital said.