MGB Home Care Clinicians Vote for Potential Strike in Contract Negotiations
On May 19, 2026, clinicians from MGB Home Care, represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), overwhelmingly voted with a 92% majority to authorize their bargaining committee to potentially schedule a seven-day strike. This decision follows prolonged negotiations with Mass General Brigham (MGB) for their inaugural union contract. The voting took place at five various locations throughout Eastern Massachusetts and saw a turnout of more than 72% of the clinicians involved.
Shannon Viera, an MGB Home Care registered nurse and MNA Chair, emphasized the unified stance of the clinicians, stating, "Our clinicians delivered a strong message through this vote. We are united in our determination to secure a contract that respects the essential care we provide to patients every day. We want to reach a fair agreement, but MGB must make meaningful movement on the issues that matter to clinicians and patients."
It’s important to note that this strike vote does not directly imply an imminent work stoppage; it merely grants the MNA Bargaining Committee the authority to call for a strike if necessary, with a legally required 10-day notice should the need arise. Over 450 clinicians associated with MGB Home Care have been advocating for their first formal contract since March 2025, participating in 26 negotiation sessions. Efforts to raise awareness of their situation included holding an informational picket outside Massachusetts General Hospital earlier this year.
The MGB Home Care bargaining unit comprises various healthcare professionals, including registered nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech language pathologists, social workers, and dieticians. Clinicians collectively decided to become part of the MNA in June 2024.
Amid discussions, many clinicians expressed their concern about the essential role they play in managing complex medical needs outside of hospitals. Kara Wilson, an occupational therapist and member of the MNA Bargaining Committee, remarked, "Our patients depend on skilled home care clinicians to safely manage complex medical needs outside the hospital. This strike vote shows clinicians are ready to stand together to win the contract we need to provide that essential care."
The clinicians are advocating for several key issues in their contract negotiations:
1. Caseload Limits: They seek enforceable protections that ensure safe management of patient assignments.
2. Productivity Standards: Clinicians want transparent expectations that acknowledge the necessary time to deliver high-quality patient care effectively.
3. Recruitment and Retention Protections: The proposed contract provisions aim at supportive measures for building a reliable home care workforce.
4. Competitive Wages: They are pushing for compensation that accurately reflects their pivotal role in caring for patients in their homes across the region.
Interestingly, while other Massachusetts hospital systems reported significant financial losses, MGB managed to turn a profit, improving its financial standing. According to Stat News, MGB reported an impressive $59.2 million operating gain for the year ending September 2025, boosted by a sizeable gain from investments, resulting in a total net margin of $2.4 billion. In stark contrast to the financial woes faced by their competitors, MGB’s executives, including CEO Dr. Anne Klibanski, saw a 40% increase in her pay in 2024, reaching a total of $8.4 million after earning $6 million in 2023. In total, from 2018 to 2023, MGB executives and essential personnel combined accrued $819 million in total salary plus an additional $100 million in bonuses, highlighting the financial disparity during this ongoing negotiation crisis.
The Massachusetts Nurses Association, founded in 1903, champions nursing standards and the welfare of nurses in Massachusetts with its 26,000 members, influencing healthcare policies that affect both nurses and the public. This dedication to advancing nursing aligns closely with the current fight for an equitable contract against a backdrop of financial success for the hospital system.
Shannon Viera, an MGB Home Care registered nurse and MNA Chair, emphasized the unified stance of the clinicians, stating, "Our clinicians delivered a strong message through this vote. We are united in our determination to secure a contract that respects the essential care we provide to patients every day. We want to reach a fair agreement, but MGB must make meaningful movement on the issues that matter to clinicians and patients."
It’s important to note that this strike vote does not directly imply an imminent work stoppage; it merely grants the MNA Bargaining Committee the authority to call for a strike if necessary, with a legally required 10-day notice should the need arise. Over 450 clinicians associated with MGB Home Care have been advocating for their first formal contract since March 2025, participating in 26 negotiation sessions. Efforts to raise awareness of their situation included holding an informational picket outside Massachusetts General Hospital earlier this year.
The MGB Home Care bargaining unit comprises various healthcare professionals, including registered nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech language pathologists, social workers, and dieticians. Clinicians collectively decided to become part of the MNA in June 2024.
Amid discussions, many clinicians expressed their concern about the essential role they play in managing complex medical needs outside of hospitals. Kara Wilson, an occupational therapist and member of the MNA Bargaining Committee, remarked, "Our patients depend on skilled home care clinicians to safely manage complex medical needs outside the hospital. This strike vote shows clinicians are ready to stand together to win the contract we need to provide that essential care."
The clinicians are advocating for several key issues in their contract negotiations:
1. Caseload Limits: They seek enforceable protections that ensure safe management of patient assignments.
2. Productivity Standards: Clinicians want transparent expectations that acknowledge the necessary time to deliver high-quality patient care effectively.
3. Recruitment and Retention Protections: The proposed contract provisions aim at supportive measures for building a reliable home care workforce.
4. Competitive Wages: They are pushing for compensation that accurately reflects their pivotal role in caring for patients in their homes across the region.
Interestingly, while other Massachusetts hospital systems reported significant financial losses, MGB managed to turn a profit, improving its financial standing. According to Stat News, MGB reported an impressive $59.2 million operating gain for the year ending September 2025, boosted by a sizeable gain from investments, resulting in a total net margin of $2.4 billion. In stark contrast to the financial woes faced by their competitors, MGB’s executives, including CEO Dr. Anne Klibanski, saw a 40% increase in her pay in 2024, reaching a total of $8.4 million after earning $6 million in 2023. In total, from 2018 to 2023, MGB executives and essential personnel combined accrued $819 million in total salary plus an additional $100 million in bonuses, highlighting the financial disparity during this ongoing negotiation crisis.
The Massachusetts Nurses Association, founded in 1903, champions nursing standards and the welfare of nurses in Massachusetts with its 26,000 members, influencing healthcare policies that affect both nurses and the public. This dedication to advancing nursing aligns closely with the current fight for an equitable contract against a backdrop of financial success for the hospital system.
Topics Health）
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