Hospital Staffing: Brigham Nurses Avert Strike After Late-Night Deal
A tentative contract reached late Wednesday night ends a threat to halt care at one of the nation's leading medical centers.
By Julia Wang ·
Brigham and Women's Hospital will keep its doors open this morning after the Massachusetts Nurses Association announced a tentative labor agreement late Wednesday night. The deal eliminates a planned indefinite strike that was scheduled to begin Thursday at 12:00 a.m.
Approximately 4,000 nurses were prepared to walk off the job. The union posted the news on Facebook at 11:25 p.m. Wednesday, confirming that the hospital met the group's core demands. Those priorities included safe patient care standards, affordable health insurance, and protection of the existing wage scale.
Kelly Morgan, chair of the bargaining committee, praised the group's persistence in a statement. "I'm incredibly proud of the Brigham nurses who stood strong to protect the world-class patient care we provide," she said. Morgan credited community members, patients, and elected officials for their months of support. She noted that the collective effort protected the future of union nursing care at the facility.
Brigham and Women's Hospital stated that the new contract falls within the financial limits of its last, best, and final offer from Oct. 10. Hospital leadership expressed gratitude to nursing leaders and clinicians who prepared for a potential disruption. The statement emphasized that the agreement supports the long-term sustainability of the hospital while recognizing the contributions of its staff.
The union's bargaining committee, composed of elected nurses, will recommend that the workforce vote to ratify the deal. The MNA indicated it will support that ratification process. Until then, the agreement remains tentative and requires a formal vote by the bargaining unit.
Gov. Maura Healey issued a statement on Thursday morning following her meetings with both parties. "I’m pleased that the Brigham and Women’s administration and nurses have reached a tentative agreement, averting a strike and keeping the focus on protecting care for patients and families," the governor said. She thanked the parties for their commitment to working in good faith toward a resolution.
The hospital had previously stated that care remained the highest priority and that it would hire temporary nurses to fill gaps if the strike had proceeded. With the threat now lifted, the institution can continue operations with its existing staff and leadership.
