About 4,000 nurses at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital voted overwhelmingly Thursday to authorize an open-ended strike, but no date is set. If held, nurses must give 10 days’ notice by law, and the strike would last until they reach a contract agreement.
The nurses say they want a contract that protects patient care and strengthens the workforce. Their proposals include limits on temporary nurses, cost-of-living wage increases, and affordable health insurance with a choice of plans. The Massachusetts Nurses Association said a strike could be the largest open-ended registered-nurse strike in state history.
Brigham nurses held a one-day strike in July. They say the hospital has since refused to negotiate meaningfully; the MNA said the hospital told nurses in August it would not negotiate unless significant changes were made to their latest proposal. Brigham and Women’s did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment.
