Boston City Councilors back nurses union as negotiations with Brigham and Women’s set to resume
Six Boston City Councilors are calling on Brigham and Women’s Hospital to “reach a fair contract settlement” with the union representing thousands of nurses at the hospital at a return to the bargaining table June 17.
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Councilors Josh Zakim, Matt O’Malley, Annissa Essaibi-George, Michael Flaherty, Ayanna Pressley, and Michelle Wu all signed the letter addressed to hospital president Elizabeth Nabel.
The Massachusetts Nurses Association, which represents 3,300 nurses at the hospital, announced on Wednesday that the union and administration would be returning to the negotiating table ahead of a planned one-day strike on June 27. Joe Markman, a spokesman for the union, said a federal mediator reached out to both sides on Tuesday after the union announced the date of the intended strike.
It it goes forward, the strike would be Boston’s first nurses strike in more than 20 years and the largest in state history, according to the union.
“If the hospital allows a strike by its 3,300 nurses, this would significantly impact patients, families and residents in Boston and throughout the region,” the councilors wrote. “We have heard from Brigham nurses about their concerns and believe what they are seeking is reasonable.”
In a response, Nabel wrote to the councilors that the hospital has already offered “generous” wage increases and benefits in negotiations and remains committed to working to a resolution with the union.
“Our proposed increases would ensure that BWH nurses continue to enjoy a wage scale that is among the most favorable in the city, region, and country,” she said.
“I want to underscore that we are very interested in resolving this contract and focusing on our mission: the care of our patients and our commitment to this community,” she added.
The two sides have met 19 times over nine months and have been unable to agree on wages, health benefits, and time off.
Brigham and Women’s, whis is part of the Partners HealthCare system, has said if a strike takes place, it will hire 700 temporary workers and lock out the protesting nurses for five days to “ensure continuity of patient care and economic reasons.”
Markman said Mayor Marty Walsh’s office offered to host the negotiating session at City Hall, but that the union is finalizing a location plan.
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