Largest Nurses Strike In Massachusetts History Begins At Brigham And Women’s Hospital

About 4,000 unionized nurses at Brigham and Women’s Hospital walked off the job Wednesday in the largest nurses strike in Massachusetts history, following months of unsuccessful contract negotiations with hospital operator Mass General Brigham (MGB).

The one-day strike centers on disputes over wages, health insurance costs, and working conditions. Although the work stoppage itself is scheduled to last only one day, striking nurses will remain locked out until July 13 because the hospital has contracted replacement nurses for five days.

MGB said it hired nearly 1,300 temporary nurses to maintain operations during the strike and expects patient care to continue with limited disruptions. Hospital officials said most appointments and procedures will proceed as scheduled unless patients are contacted directly, although some outpatient services have been postponed and the Foxborough Surgery Center will remain closed through Friday.

The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), which represents the striking workers, argues the hospital has refused to provide raises while increasing what employees pay for health insurance. Union leaders also criticized MGB for spending heavily on replacement workers instead of investing in its permanent nursing workforce.

“We need to be inside taking care of our patients, not out here,” union representative Jennifer DeVincent told CBS News. “This is on the Brigham, not on us.”

Hospital officials rejected the union’s characterization of its offer, saying Brigham nurses are among the highest-paid in the country. According to MGB, nurses receive automatic annual 5% step increases as they advance through a 22-step pay scale, with the average nurse earning more than $147,000 annually.

MGB said the union’s proposed across-the-board wage increases would add roughly $128 million in costs over the life of the contract while permanently increasing the hospital’s cost structure.

The labor dispute comes as hospitals nationwide continue to face staffing pressures and rising labor costs following the COVID-19 pandemic. Brigham nurses account for roughly 18% of the hospital’s workforce but more than 40% of its labor costs when overtime, differential pay, and other compensation are included, according to the hospital.

The strike also coincides with a separate walkout by approximately 450 Mass General Brigham Home Care workers seeking their first union contract. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey met with representatives from both sides earlier this week, urging continued negotiations, while Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Massachusetts congressional lawmakers called on the hospital and union to return to the bargaining table and reach an agreement.

Unless a settlement is reached sooner, Brigham nurses are scheduled to return to work on July 13 after the hospital’s temporary staffing contracts expire.