More than 4,500 nurses and home care providers affiliated with Mass General Brigham (MGB) are set to strike beginning July 8, according to an announcement from the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA). The planned work stoppage, which could become the largest health care workers’ strike in Massachusetts history, involves a 24-hour walkout by nurses at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a weeklong strike by clinicians in the MGB Home Care unit, lasting through July 15.

The home care strike will affect approximately 450 nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, social workers, and dietitians. Both groups are represented by the MNA and have been engaged in contract negotiations with MGB for more than a year without reaching an agreement.

While the Brigham nurses have approved only a one-day strike, MGB indicated in a notice to employees that union members at Brigham would be unable to work until July 13 due to the hospital’s emergency preparedness measures. The hospital plans to hire temporary nursing staff to cover shifts during the strike and, under contractual obligations, expects to provide them with at least five days of work.

The underlying issues in the dispute include demands for enforceable standards for staffing and workload, wage increases, and improved working conditions. Shannon Viera, chair of the MGB Home Care union bargaining committee, said the union sought meaningful contract improvements to maintain quality care for patients. Kelly Morgan, chair of the bargaining committee for Brigham nurses, emphasized concerns over recruitment and retention, stating that hospital executives have resisted investment in nursing staff.

MGB, the largest hospital system in Massachusetts, has criticized the union’s characterization of the negotiations. The hospital highlighted that Brigham nurses are among the highest-paid in the state, with entry-level salaries starting at $86,700 and mid-level nurses earning approximately $147,000 annually. The hospital also pointed out that nurses receive automatic 5 percent annual step increases and that its latest contract proposal includes raises through step increases or a top-of-scale adjustment. Additionally, the hospital emphasized the retention of competitive health benefits, retirement plans, paid time off, shift differentials, and training programs in its offer.

Contract talks have been particularly contentious around health insurance premiums and cost-of-living adjustments. Under previous contracts, Brigham nurses received cost-of-living increases on top of experience-based raises, a provision the union is seeking to preserve.

Jessica Pastore, a spokesperson for Brigham and Women’s Hospital, stated that the hospital is prepared to continue patient care during the strike and noted the involvement of a federal mediator in 21 negotiation sessions with the union.

During the weeklong home care strike, some ancillary services such as dietitian and speech therapy appointments are expected to be paused, according to hospital officials.

Under Massachusetts law, unions must provide a minimum of 10 days’ notice before striking to allow hospitals to prepare for potential disruptions in patient care. This upcoming strike would mark the first-ever walkout for both the Brigham nurses’ union, which represents over 4,000 nurses, and the newly formed MGB Home Care unit seeking its inaugural contract.