Mass General Brigham, nurses stalemate drags as strike nears
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Mass General Brigham nurses and hospital management ended Thursday's talks without any indication that they're close to a contract agreement.
Why it matters: At this rate, they appear headed toward an indefinite strike starting next week, which would disrupt services at the state's largest hospital system.
Catch up quick: MGB nurses and management have been at odds for more than a year over contract negotiations, which union leaders say included pay raises, staff-to-patient ratios and concerns over quality of care.
State of play: The stalemate means some 4,000 union nurses will likely walk off the job to picket.
- Gov. Maura Healey, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and state lawmakers have weighed in, urging both sides to come to an agreement.
What they're saying: A letter signed by 66 state lawmakers Thursday criticized hospital leaders for failing to reach a deal with the nurses union.
- The letter cited bargaining units' accounts that management has refused to negotiate over issues affecting patient care, safe caseloads, recruitment and retention, and affordable healthcare for caregivers.
- "MGB's wasteful and irresponsible decision to spend an estimated $100 million on two strikes and a four-day lockout instead of reaching fair agreements with MNA nurses and clinicians undermines confidence in MGB's commitment to its workforce, its patients and the communities it serves," the letter states.
The other side: An MGB spokesperson said the only outstanding issues are "economic" in nature, saying the nurses are seeking a 7% pay raise on top of an annual 5% raise and other increases.
- If granted, the spokesperson said, Brigham nurses would see a 15% pay bump this month compared with October 2025.
- A Brigham nurse's starting salary is $86,700, per the Boston Business Journal.
Yes, and: The union has filed complaints accusing hospital management of retaliating against nurses who participated in July's strike and wore a pro-union button, changing their schedules and job descriptions.
- MGB's spokesperson said the hospital system changed its internal employee platform to address the allegations around schedule changes, which resulted in different wording for some job descriptions for nurses whose roles haven't changed.
- The hospital says any claim it was done as retaliation is inaccurate.
What we're watching: The nurses union and hospital management have five days to avert another strike.