Boston City Council to Vote on Resolution Supporting Brigham Nurses in Their Fight for Fair Compensation
On April 29, the Boston City Council will convene to deliberate a resolution backing Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) nurses who will be staging an informational picket on the same day. This momentous picket is being organized by the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) to increase awareness about the pressing issues surrounding fair wages, affordable health care, and safe working environments for nurses.
The resolution, spearheaded by Councilors Edward M. Flynn and Sharon Durkan, reflects a significant community support for the nursing staff, aiming to secure better conditions for those who dedicate their lives to patient care. As part of the picket, nurses will present their concerns to the council at noon, prior to the vote.
Nurses at BWH believe it is crucial to take this step, especially given the recent corporate decisions made by the Mass General Brigham (MGB) executives, which appear to prioritize financial strategies over quality patient care. Kelly Morgan, a labor and delivery nurse and Chair of the BWH MNA Bargaining Committee, expressed her stance strongly, stating, "We are standing up together as Brigham nurses to protect our patients and the future of care at the Brigham." Morgan highlights that the decisions made by MGB executives have severe consequences on the level of care patients receive, pushing nurses to voice their demands for respect and adequate investment in their workforce.
The picket is strategically timed to draw attention to several critical issues that presently affect the hospital, including the closure of specialized services that undermine patient care continuity. For instance, MGB has closed the Weiner Center, disrupting essential preoperative services and forcing patients to seek care elsewhere, which could complicate treatment routines for complex cases. Similarly, the BWH Burn Unit was shuttered recently, leading to concerns raised by nursing staff regarding patient safety. Jim McCarthy, a PACU nurse and Vice Chair of the BWH MNA, resonates with the growing concern among nurses, stating that the decisions made by MGB executives are detrimental to both staff and patients.
The nurses have further raised alarms over inadequate wage proposals from MGB during ongoing bargaining negotiations. Reports indicate that the MGB executives collectively earned $35.9 million in fiscal year 2024 while nurses were offered a 0% wage increase, a move perceived as deeply disrespectful to those on the front line of patient care. The situation becomes even more concerning with rising insurance costs for nurses, coupled with high salaries advertised for executive positions within the MGB itself, signaling a disturbing focus on corporate profit over healthcare provision.
Although MGB boasts a robust financial performance, including a reported operating gain of $59.2 million in 2025, the priorities seem misaligned when examining the treatment of those directly providing care. This disconnection underscores the threats to nurse recruitment and retention, prompting the workforce to advocate for a sustainable and fair working environment. As the date of the vote approaches, community members and advocates are urged to stand behind the nurses not only to support their immediate concerns but also to ensure the future of patient care at one of the nation's leading medical institutions.
The informational picket, which is anticipated to be attended by a large number of nurses and advocates, will take place on April 29 outside Brigham and Women’s Hospital at 75 Francis Street, Boston, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. This event is not a strike, and nurses plan to participate outside their working hours, continuing to provide uninterrupted patient care. It emphasizes the critical need for dialogue on the management of healthcare services amidst an evolving landscape that favors corporate growth over compassionate, patient-centered care. The Boston City Council's vote is a pivotal moment in solidarity with those who make such sacrifices for public health. Watch closely as the situation unfolds and the mission of BWH nurses continues to gain momentum in the fight for dignity and respect in their profession.
The resolution, spearheaded by Councilors Edward M. Flynn and Sharon Durkan, reflects a significant community support for the nursing staff, aiming to secure better conditions for those who dedicate their lives to patient care. As part of the picket, nurses will present their concerns to the council at noon, prior to the vote.
Nurses at BWH believe it is crucial to take this step, especially given the recent corporate decisions made by the Mass General Brigham (MGB) executives, which appear to prioritize financial strategies over quality patient care. Kelly Morgan, a labor and delivery nurse and Chair of the BWH MNA Bargaining Committee, expressed her stance strongly, stating, "We are standing up together as Brigham nurses to protect our patients and the future of care at the Brigham." Morgan highlights that the decisions made by MGB executives have severe consequences on the level of care patients receive, pushing nurses to voice their demands for respect and adequate investment in their workforce.
The picket is strategically timed to draw attention to several critical issues that presently affect the hospital, including the closure of specialized services that undermine patient care continuity. For instance, MGB has closed the Weiner Center, disrupting essential preoperative services and forcing patients to seek care elsewhere, which could complicate treatment routines for complex cases. Similarly, the BWH Burn Unit was shuttered recently, leading to concerns raised by nursing staff regarding patient safety. Jim McCarthy, a PACU nurse and Vice Chair of the BWH MNA, resonates with the growing concern among nurses, stating that the decisions made by MGB executives are detrimental to both staff and patients.
The nurses have further raised alarms over inadequate wage proposals from MGB during ongoing bargaining negotiations. Reports indicate that the MGB executives collectively earned $35.9 million in fiscal year 2024 while nurses were offered a 0% wage increase, a move perceived as deeply disrespectful to those on the front line of patient care. The situation becomes even more concerning with rising insurance costs for nurses, coupled with high salaries advertised for executive positions within the MGB itself, signaling a disturbing focus on corporate profit over healthcare provision.
Although MGB boasts a robust financial performance, including a reported operating gain of $59.2 million in 2025, the priorities seem misaligned when examining the treatment of those directly providing care. This disconnection underscores the threats to nurse recruitment and retention, prompting the workforce to advocate for a sustainable and fair working environment. As the date of the vote approaches, community members and advocates are urged to stand behind the nurses not only to support their immediate concerns but also to ensure the future of patient care at one of the nation's leading medical institutions.
The informational picket, which is anticipated to be attended by a large number of nurses and advocates, will take place on April 29 outside Brigham and Women’s Hospital at 75 Francis Street, Boston, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. This event is not a strike, and nurses plan to participate outside their working hours, continuing to provide uninterrupted patient care. It emphasizes the critical need for dialogue on the management of healthcare services amidst an evolving landscape that favors corporate growth over compassionate, patient-centered care. The Boston City Council's vote is a pivotal moment in solidarity with those who make such sacrifices for public health. Watch closely as the situation unfolds and the mission of BWH nurses continues to gain momentum in the fight for dignity and respect in their profession.
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