Massachusetts Nurses Association Stages Historic Strike Against MGB Home Care Leadership Over Patient Safety

Historic Strike by MGB Home Care Clinicians

In an unprecedented event, approximately 450 clinicians from MGB Home Care are set to begin a 7-day strike starting July 8, 2026. This significant action marks the largest strike involving nurses and healthcare professionals in Massachusetts history. The clinicians aim to advocate for reasonable working conditions and patient safety amidst ongoing negotiations with Mass General Brigham (MGB), the healthcare system positioned as the seventh wealthiest in the U.S.

The strike will kick off with picketing at five locations across the region on the first day, before transitioning to the MGB headquarters at Assembly Row in Somerville for the remaining days. This action is fueled by frustration over MGB's unwillingness to negotiate fair terms that could ensure safe patient care and appropriate support for the clinicians.

The clinicians comprise a diverse group of healthcare professionals, including registered nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech language pathologists, social workers, and dieticians. Their daily responsibilities require providing complex, skilled care to patients in their homes—encompassing services from wound care to recovery management.

Shannon Viera, an RN and Chair of the MGB MNA Home Care Bargaining Committee, expressed the clinicians' demands: "We are seeking safety standards and support from MGB to be able to continue providing high-quality care across a wide range of patient needs." This strike comes after over a year of negotiations failed to yield a contract agreeable to the clinicians.

The selection of July 8 as the strike date follows a strong vote by clinicians, with 92% authorizing a potential strike earlier this year. Since March 2025, they have been in discussions for their inaugural contract as union members after voting to unionize in June 2024. Clinicians are calling for reasonable caseload limits, transparent productivity standards, and competitive wages that reflect their essential roles in patient care.

Kara Wilson, an occupational therapist engaged in the bargaining process, highlighted the significance of manageable caseloads for supporting patient needs effectively: "Safe home care depends on clinicians having manageable caseloads so we can provide patients with the time and attention they deserve. We urge MGB to return to negotiations and work on a path toward settlement."

In an attempt to mitigate the impact of the upcoming strike, Governor Maura Healey convened MGB and MNA representatives at her office for discussions about the situation. During this meeting, both parties expressed a willingness to negotiate, with the MNA representatives prepared to negotiate continuously to avert the strike.

Despite the willingness from the nurses and clinicians to talk, MGB executives have not signified a readiness to alter their positions in negotiations, which raises concern among the caregivers about their future working conditions. Information from Becker’s Hospital Review shows that MGB holds assets totaling $35.8 billion, and their executive compensation remains disproportionately elevated compared to the financial challenges facing frontline caregivers.

As the strike approaches, the MGB Home Care clinicians emphasize that this move is not only about their working conditions but fundamentally about safeguarding patient care. They hope that MGB will recognize the urgency of negotiating a fair contract that prioritizes the safety and well-being of both patients and healthcare professionals.

For ongoing updates and details about the strike locations, visit www.massnurses.org/MGB where further information will be available as events unfold.

Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is committed to advancing nursing standards and advocating for the welfare of its members. With more than 26,000 registered nurses, this organization plays a critical role in shaping healthcare policy and practices throughout the Commonwealth.