MNA: MGB Refuses to Negotiate Key Patient Care Priorities as Brigham Nurses Return to Bargaining Following Historic Strike and Lockout
PR Newswire
Last updated: July 22, 2026
Registered nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), have returned to the bargaining table following a significant strike and lockout. The MNA alleges that hospital management is refusing to negotiate on crucial patient care priorities.
- The nurses, who recently concluded a strike and lockout, are seeking to address issues they deem essential for patient safety and quality of care. These priorities are central to the union's bargaining agenda.
- The MNA has expressed disappointment, stating that the Massachusetts Brigham Hospital (BWH) management is not engaging constructively on these key patient care issues.
- The nurses' return to negotiations signifies a commitment to finding a resolution, but the stated refusal by BWH management to discuss patient care priorities remains a significant hurdle.
- The situation highlights an ongoing tension between the nurses' union and hospital administration regarding the hospital's operational decisions and their impact on patient care standards.
- The MNA is advocating for specific improvements in staffing levels and working conditions, which they believe are directly linked to the quality of care provided to patients.
- The refusal to negotiate on these specific points is seen by the MNA as a disregard for the nurses' professional judgment and the well-being of the patients they serve.