Nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston voted 93% in favor of authorizing an open-ended strike on Thursday, Sept. 24, with 2,986 voting yes and 215 voting no, WBUR reported. The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), which represents about 4,000 nurses at the hospital, said more nurses voted yes than in any Massachusetts authorization vote.
The vote does not start a strike. It gives the union's bargaining committee the power to call one, and nurses must give the hospital at least 10 days' notice before walking out. As of Sept. 25, no strike date had been set.
For patients, that notice period is the key window. People with surgery, cancer treatment, a planned delivery, or a specialist visit at the Brigham in the coming weeks face some uncertainty about whether that care will go ahead as scheduled.
From One-Day Walkout to No End Date
MedicalDaily previously reported that about 4,000 nurses would vote on authorizing an open-ended strike after rallies outside a Mass General Brigham forum. The result was lopsided: of about 3,200 ballots cast, fewer than 7% were no votes.
The difference from July matters. Nurses held a one-day strike on July 8, and Mass General Brigham then locked them out for four more days because of its contract with temporary replacement nurses, Boston.com reported. This time, the union has not named an end date.
"Brigham nurses have made clear that we are prepared to stay on strike for as long as it takes to win a contract that protects our patients and respects the nurses who care for them," said Kelly Morgan, a labor and delivery nurse and chair of the union's bargaining committee, according to Fierce Healthcare. She also said, "An open-ended strike is a serious step that will undoubtedly create a healthcare crisis in Massachusetts."
Pay, Insurance, and Travel Nurse Limits Remain Unresolved
Talks began in November 2025, and the previous contract expired March 31, Fierce Healthcare reported. The union says Mass General Brigham stopped meeting to bargain on Aug. 11 and has made no new proposals since.
Nurses are seeking meaningful cost-of-living raises, more affordable health insurance, and limits on the use of temporary travel nurses, which the union ties to safe staffing and continuity of care. They also want pay differentials for nurses who float between units. According to the union, the hospital asked nurses to choose between pursuing cost-of-living increases and discussing their patient care proposals, and nurses rejected that approach.
Mass General Brigham disputes the union's framing. It said nurses already receive annual 5% step raises on a 20-step scale and that it proposed an additional 2.5% for nurses at the top step, WBUR reported. The system also said 11 nurses in the bargaining unit earned more than $300,000 last year.
The hospital said its proposal "maintains Brigham nurses' market-leading compensation, preserves meaningful wage growth and competitive benefits." It also said it remains committed to caring for patients if nurses strike.
What Patients Should Know
The Brigham is one of Boston's major teaching hospitals. An open-ended strike would test how long replacement staffing can sustain its usual level of care and could lead to postponed procedures.
Those most likely to be affected include patients awaiting scheduled surgery, people in ongoing cancer treatment, pregnant patients planning to deliver at the hospital, and people with complex conditions who rely on familiar care teams.
For now, care continues as normal. Patients should keep scheduled appointments unless the hospital contacts them. If a strike notice is issued, patients can call their care team to ask how upcoming surgeries, infusions, or deliveries could be affected. Keeping a current list of medications and upcoming appointments can help if plans change quickly.
Emergency care should never be delayed because of labor news. Anyone with chest pain, stroke symptoms, trouble breathing, or another emergency should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
What Happens if Notice Is Issued
The bargaining committee can issue notice whenever it decides talks have failed. A notice would give the hospital and patients at least 10 days to prepare, and an agreement reached before then would prevent the walkout.
That period is when the hospital would arrange replacement staff and decide which procedures to reschedule. In July, the replacement-nurse contract led Mass General Brigham to keep striking nurses out for four extra days, so patients should not assume a walkout would end on the union's timeline alone.
Mass General Brigham said whether to call a strike "is a decision only the union can make" and that it remains committed to bargaining in good faith. The union said the hospital can prevent a strike by returning to the table.
Sept. 24, 2026: Nurses vote 93% to authorize an open-ended strike. No date is set.
Sept. 23, 2026: MedicalDaily reports on the upcoming authorization vote.
July 8, 2026: Nurses hold a one-day strike, followed by a four-day lockout.
Key Questions Answered
What did Brigham nurses vote for? They voted 93% to authorize an open-ended strike, with 2,986 yes votes and 215 no votes.
Is a strike happening now? No. No date has been set, and the union must give at least 10 days' notice before a walkout.
What are nurses asking for? Cost-of-living raises, more affordable health insurance, limits on temporary travel nurses, and float pay differentials.
What does the hospital say? Mass General Brigham says its offer maintains market-leading pay and that it remains committed to caring for patients if nurses strike.
Should patients cancel appointments? No. Keep appointments unless the hospital contacts you.
What if I have an emergency? Do not delay. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Published by Medicaldaily.com
