Overview
- Thousands of Brigham and Women’s Hospital nurses voted to reject the hospital system’s “last, best, and final” offer, a vote that concluded late Friday.
- The elected BWH MNA bargaining committee, which represents more than 4,000 nurses, said it will seek to resume negotiations with Mass General Brigham.
- Nurses say the deal fails to include the across-the-board cost-of-living raises and more affordable health insurance they requested, while MGB points to pay scales that start near $86,700 and reach about $220,000 for long-tenured staff.
- The union could again pursue a strike but would be required to give 10 days’ notice; the hospital says it is prepared to maintain uninterrupted care and has previously hired large numbers of temporary nurses to cover staffing gaps.
- The vote comes as Mass General Brigham is implementing layoffs and budget cuts, a financial backdrop that could shape how both sides approach further bargaining and affect patient staffing and services.