Boston – The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) confirmed late Wednesday night that negotiators have reached a tentative agreement with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, preventing a strike that would have involved about 4,000 nurses starting Thursday morning.
Key terms of the agreement
According to a Facebook post from the union at 11:25 p.m., the deal addresses the central priorities raised by the nursing staff: a higher wage scale, limits on the use of traveling and temporary nurses, and affordable health‑insurance options. The MNA said the hospital’s offer includes competitive pay and that its nurses already rank among the highest‑paid in the region and the nation.
“I’m incredibly proud of the Brigham nurses who stood strong to protect the world‑class patient care we provide,” said Kelly Morgan, chair of the bargaining committee, in a statement shared by the MNA. “We secured this agreement with the help of countless community members, patients, unions and elected officials who supported us for many months. By standing together, we protected patients and the future of union nursing care at the Brigham.”
Hospital response
Mass General Brigham, the parent organization, did not issue an immediate press release but reiterated that patient care remains its highest priority. The system said it will continue to hire temporary nurses to fill any gaps should a work stoppage occur.
Dr. Paul Biddinger, MGB’s chief preparedness officer, explained that the hospital is employing real‑time safety monitoring and clear escalation pathways to address any issues that might arise during a potential strike. He noted that the organization successfully maintained safe operations during a work stoppage earlier this year and will apply those proven plans to any future disruptions.
Safety record during past work stoppages
Karen Fiumara, vice president of patient safety, highlighted data from the July work stoppage, stating, “We saw no increase in the number or severity of safety events reported throughout the entirety of the work stoppage.” This record underscores the hospital’s confidence in its preparedness measures.
Union perspective
The MNA emphasized that the agreement protects safe patient care, preserves affordable health‑insurance coverage, and safeguards the nurses’ wage scale. The bargaining committee, composed of nurses elected by their peers, will recommend that Brigham nurses vote to ratify the agreement.
“We recognize that inflation and the cost of living are real concerns for our employees. While these pressures are important, they are not the primary drivers of compensation decisions and must be applied consistently across all roles to ensure fairness and equity,” the hospital group said in its statement.
What patients should know
Patients with concerns are encouraged to contact their provider or the Patient and Family Relations office. The hospital assures the public that care will continue uninterrupted and that safety monitoring systems are in place to address any emerging issues.
The tentative agreement marks a significant step toward maintaining uninterrupted, high‑quality care at one of Boston’s flagship medical institutions while honoring the labor concerns of its nursing workforce.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
