MNA Takes Action Against Brigham and Women's Hospital Over Nurse Retaliation Following Strike

MNA Files Federal Unfair Labor Practice Charge Against Brigham and Women's Hospital

The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) has escalated its fight for fair labor practices by filing a second unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Brigham and Women's Hospital. This action comes in light of retaliation claims against nurses who participated in a historic strike on July 8, 2026. Following the strike, the hospital imposed a lockout, which the MNA argues was meant to punish the nurses for exercising their federally protected rights.

The recent charge claims that Brigham management enacted significant changes to the scheduling of nursing staff in the Critical Care Unit. Approximately 75 out of 100 nurses on the unit are now required to work every other weekend instead of the previously established every third weekend. This change, according to MNA representatives, is unjustified as there has been no rise in patient demand or operational needs that would warrant such a drastic adjustment to their schedules.

Kelly Morgan, RN and Chair of the Brigham MNA Bargaining Committee, voiced concerns stating, "Nurses on this unit have enjoyed every-third-weekend schedules through seniority for years. Many of these nurses haven't worked every other weekend in over a decade. This is clearly a retaliatory act against those who stood up for their rights."

This filing isn't the first of its kind, as the MNA had previously lodged a charge against Brigham Hospital on July 23, accusing the management of hindering neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses from joining their colleagues during the strike. As negotiations are set to resume on August 6, the pressure is mounting on Brigham and Women's Hospital to address the grievances raised by the nursing staff.

As the nurses continue to seek a fair contract, their demands focus on improving patient care through reduced reliance on temporary staff, ensuring better recruitment and retention of skilled nurses, affordable healthcare, and substantial cost-of-living wage increases. Unfortunately, MGB, the parent organization of the hospital, has largely declined to engage in negotiations that would address these core issues.

Morgan expressed frustration with MGB's approach: "Instead of engaging in dialogue to resolve these critical issues, management is resorting to intimidation. Their actions are unacceptable and will inevitably hinder our ability to provide the level of care our patients deserve."

The charges and the ongoing negotiations come in the aftermath of what has been described as the most significant nurse strike in Massachusetts history. Nurses are persevering in their commitment to improve working conditions not just for their benefit, but for the health and safety of their patients. The crucial discussions on August 6 are seen as pivotal, and the MNA hopes the hospital will approach with a readiness to negotiate, rather than continuing its pattern of retaliatory behavior.

For more information on the Massachusetts Nurses Association and their ongoing campaigns, visit www.massnurses.org/MGB. The Association, founded in 1903, represents over 26,000 registered nurses across the Commonwealth, advocating for high standards in nursing practice and working tirelessly for the welfare of nurses and thus, indirectly, their patients.