BWH nurses set open-ended strike for Nov. 12 after rejecting new contract offer

Registered nurses at Brigham and Women’s Hospital will begin an open-ended strike at 7 a.m. on Nov. 12. The walkout follows a vote to reject the latest contract proposal from their employer, Mass General Brigham. The action involves more than 4,000 staff members represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association.

The bargaining committee issued a formal 10-day strike notice on Sunday, Nov. 1. This notice sets the immediate timeline for the labor dispute. The group had been negotiating terms with hospital leadership in the weeks leading up to the decision.

The committee represents nurses across the Brigham facility. They chose to reject the final offer rather than sign a new agreement. Kelly Morgan, RN, serves as chair of the BWH MNA Bargaining Committee and is a labor and delivery nurse. She stated that the group is ready to strike but remains prepared to negotiate a fair contract. Morgan said the goal is to protect patient care and respect nurses while averting the work stoppage. She added that Brigham nurses are resolved to fight for as long as it takes for patient safety and professional respect.

Negotiations are scheduled to resume on Nov. 9. The parties will focus on securing terms that meet the needs of the nursing staff, patients, and community members. If a deal is not reached by the deadline, the strike will commence on Nov. 12. The strike is open-ended, meaning it will continue until a new contract is agreed upon.

The labor action places pressure on hospital operations during a critical period. The 10-day notice period has already begun. Stakeholders are monitoring the Nov. 9 talks to determine if the 7 a.m. start date on Nov. 12 will hold.