Unionized nurses at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston have rejected the hospital’s latest contract proposal, keeping the prospect of a strike alive. The vote, which began on Thursday and concluded Friday evening, came after several months of negotiations marked by tension between the nursing staff and hospital management.

The nurses’ bargaining committee, representing more than 4,000 members, did not disclose the specific tally of the vote. In a statement, the union emphasized its willingness to continue negotiations with Mass General Brigham (MGB), the parent organization of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, to reach a contract that addresses the needs of nurses, their patients, and the broader community.

Kelly Morgan, a labor and delivery nurse and chair of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital nurses’ bargaining committee, said the vote reflects the nurses’ commitment to patient safety and their desire for professional respect. “This vote shows the resolve of Brigham nurses, who are fighting for patient safety and for the professional respect we deserve,” Morgan said.

Mass General Brigham expressed disappointment with the vote outcome but affirmed that patient care remains its highest priority. In a statement, the organization said Brigham and Women’s Hospital is prepared to ensure uninterrupted care and respond appropriately to any further actions the union might take.

The hospital defended its contract offer as “the best and final” and highlighted its commitment to investing in nurses through competitive compensation and benefits designed to maintain Brigham’s nursing pay among the highest in the market. The statement pointed to the need for long-term sustainability amid ongoing financial pressures.

The rejection follows the postponement of an open-ended strike that had been set to begin on October 14. That planned strike posed a significant risk of disruption to patient services and would have impacted both the hospital and the nursing workforce, which would have faced lost wages and suspended employer contributions to health insurance premiums during any walkout.

The union and hospital are expected to continue discussions in the coming days as both sides seek a resolution to the ongoing labor dispute.