Brigham Nurses Reject Contract Offer, Reviving Strike Threat

Nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston voted down a tentative contract with the hospital, with results tallied on the night of October 23, WBUR reported. The Massachusetts Nurses Association, which represents roughly 4,000 nurses at the hospital, said most voters opposed the deal but did not disclose a tally.

The union said it will press hospital management to resume bargaining within days. Kelly Morgan, chair of the bargaining committee, said the result showed nurses' "resolve" on patient safety and professional respect.

Hospital officials had described the package as their last and best offer, saying it kept pay at the Brigham competitive while protecting the institution's finances, and said they were disappointed by the result.

Wages were the sticking point. Nurses move up 5% a year for their first 20 years of service, and the rejected offer would have added 2.5% annual increases over two years for those at the top of the scale, without the broader across-the-board raises the union sought.

The two sides have bargained for a year. Nurses struck for one day in July 2026 and were locked out for four additional days. An open-ended walkout set for October 14 was called off when the tentative deal was reached. The union can still call a strike with 10 days' notice.

Mass General Brigham, the hospital's parent system, has said it cannot afford the union's original wage demands and confirmed in October 2026 that it was eliminating some jobs.

This story was first reported by WBUR.