Brigham and Women's Hospital nurses locked out after strike
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Nurses picket outside of Brigham and Women's Hospital on Wednesday. Photo: John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Brigham and Women's Hospital nurses ended their one-day strike at 7am Thursday, only to be barred from re-entering the hospital.
The big picture: The clash escalates already-strained negotiations between over 4,000 nurses and Mass General Brigham's administration during the largest nurses' walkout in state history.
The latest: Nurses were rallying in the Longwood Medical Area Thursday, blasting MGB's decision to lock them out until 6:59am on Monday.
- MGB said its contingency plans include securing 1,300 temporary nurses, who are required to work at least five days under their own contract.
What they're saying: "It was absolutely defeating and demoralizing," Kelly Morgan, the lead union negotiator, told CBS Boston.
- "We want to be in there and take care of our patients, and that's what we're asking to do, and they just won't let us."
The other side: "We communicated this information to nurses before the strike vote through a June 12 email and a letter sent to their homes so they understood the implications of a strike before casting their vote," a MGB spokesperson said in a statement.
Between the lines: Elected officials joined a rally Thursday to support the striking nurses.
- "We will be here until you get the pay that you deserve," said U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, alongside U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and state lawmakers.
- Gov. Maura Healey stopped short of taking sides, but she urged both parties on Wednesday to find common ground.
- That's after her failed attempt to have MGB leaders and the bargaining unit reach a deal at the State House earlier this week.
Friction point: The Mass. Nurses Association says the bargaining unit is pushing for better wage increases, staff ratios and working conditions, including less reliance on temporary travel nurses.
- MGB says it's reached agreements over most of the contract provisions, and that "the only issues left at the table primarily involve compensation and productivity."
- MGB says the nurses' proposal would tack on another $128 million in nursing labor costs.
Meanwhile, Mass General Brigham Home Care workers are on a seven-day strike over their own contract negotiations.
Be smart: The Francis Street entrance to the Shapiro Cardiovascular Center and the Shattuck Street entrances are closed.
- Hospital leaders ask that patients use the main entrances at 75 Francis St., 45 Francis St. and the Hale Building lobby.