Brigham Nurses Set Strike Date for Nov. 12 Amid Contract Deadlock

Registered nurses at Brigham and Women’s Hospital will begin an open-ended strike at 7 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12. The 10-day notice was issued by the bargaining committee on Sunday, two days after both parties agreed to resume contract negotiations on Nov. 9.

The union represents more than 4,000 nurses. They rejected a contract proposal from Mass General Brigham on Oct. 23. Hospital officials labeled that document their final offer. The stalemate has persisted for months, following a July work stoppage that started as a one-day action but lasted five days.

Kelly Morgan, a labor and delivery nurse and chair of the BWH MNA Bargaining Committee, stated the group is ready to strike but equally prepared to negotiate. She said the goal is to secure a fair contract that protects patient care and respects the nursing staff. Morgan added that the nurses are resolved to fight for patient safety and professional respect for as long as necessary.

The dispute centers on compensation and benefits, including wages and health insurance. Mass General Brigham stated on Sunday that no unresolved proposals remain regarding patient or workplace safety. The hospital system said it hopes to avoid another strike but remains prepared to provide safe, high-quality care during any work stoppage.

Hospital executives point to financial pressures as a driver for the negotiation stance. Top officials recently reported that the company is running more than $300 million behind budget. They noted that the current 0.3% operating margin falls short of the 1.5% goal required to support continued investment in patient care, research, and facilities.

Chief Financial Officer Niyum Gandhi and Chief Operating Officer Ron Walls wrote that the organization must redesign clinical and operational models. They stated the need to simplify processes, reduce duplication, and align staffing with patient needs. The executives emphasized that administrative savings alone will not suffice and that programs not fully aligned with strategic priorities must be eliminated.

Nurses characterize the hospital system's approach as corporate greed. In response, Mass General Brigham maintained that its latest offer provides market-leading compensation and competitive benefits. The system affirmed its commitment to reaching a fair and responsible agreement that balances the needs of patients, the workforce, and the hospital's long-term financial sustainability.