In Worcester County, roughly 4,000 nurses from Brigham and Women’s Hospital are poised to begin an open‑ended strike on Thursday if negotiations with the Massachusetts Nursing Association (MNA) do not produce a contract.
Union demands focus on wages and staffing
The MNA says its members are seeking a higher wage scale, limits on the use of traveling and temporary nurses, and affordable health‑insurance options. The union has noted progress on some issues but says no agreement has been reached.
Hospital’s safety plan and temporary staffing
Mass General Brigham (MGB) assures the public that patient care remains the “highest priority.” The system will hire temporary nurses—many of whom previously filled in during the July work stoppage—to maintain staffing levels. Dr. Paul Biddinger, MGB’s chief preparedness officer, said the group is using real‑time safety monitoring and clear escalation pathways to address any issues that arise before and during a potential strike.
Karen Fiumara, vice president of patient safety, highlighted that during the July strike the hospital saw no increase in the number or severity of safety events. The same safety protocols will be employed this time.
Compensation and fairness
The hospital’s latest offer includes competitive pay, noting that its nurses are already among the highest‑paid in the region and the nation. In a statement, MGB acknowledged that inflation and cost‑of‑living pressures are real concerns for employees, but said compensation decisions must be applied consistently across all roles to ensure fairness and equity.
Union’s call for good‑faith negotiations
Kelly Morgan, MNA chair and a labor‑and‑delivery nurse at Brigham and Women’s, said the union made progress in off‑the‑record talks on Monday, negotiating from 9 a.m. until after midnight without reaching a resolution. She expressed readiness to resume talks before November 12 and urged MGB to return to the table in good faith to meet the needs of nurses and patients.
Both sides have agreed on certain workplace‑safety proposals, but a final contract remains pending. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through hospital communications as the situation develops.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
