Nurses at Brigham and Women’s Hospital are set to vote on September 24 regarding the possibility of an indefinite strike, following a one-day work stoppage two months ago over disputes related to wages and health insurance. The union representing approximately 4,000 nurses is considering the move after ongoing contract negotiations with Mass General Brigham (MGB), the parent company of the hospital, failed to produce an acceptable offer.

Joe Markman, spokesperson for the Massachusetts Nurses Association, noted that union leaders reached the difficult decision to hold the strike authorization vote after MGB declined to revise its contract proposal. Mass General Brigham, the state’s largest employer and healthcare system with more than 85,000 employees, has maintained its current position despite three recent bargaining sessions.

Under Massachusetts law, if the nurses vote to authorize the strike, they would be required to wait a 10-day period before initiating any job action. This provision is intended to minimize disruptions to patient care during labor disputes.

Representatives from Mass General Brigham have emphasized that the nurses at Brigham and Women’s Hospital already rank among the best compensated in the state and nationwide. Jessica Pastore, speaking on behalf of MGB, highlighted that nurse pay at the hospital is within the top 10 percent for acute care facilities, suggesting that the employer views its offer as competitive.

The ongoing negotiations reflect broader tensions in healthcare workplaces over compensation and benefits, with union members seeking improvements amid rising costs of living and healthcare-related expenses. The upcoming vote will determine whether the nurses proceed with a potentially open-ended strike aimed at securing better contract terms.