Upcoming Informational Picket
The MNA intends to hold an informational picket on Wednesday, April 29, 2 – 4 p.m., outside of the Brigham’s main entrance at 75 Francis Street. We have also received notice from the Doctors Council SEIU that they plan to join from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. We anticipate there will be media coverage.
This kind of activity is commonly used by the union to attract attention to contract negotiations. This is not a strike and there will be no impact on hospital operations or patient care, other than a little congestion of both pedestrians and traffic along that part of Francis Street. This will not affect patient care and that we respect and value our nurses.
Status of Negotiations
While we have reached tentative agreements on 14 issues in bargaining, wages remain a key issue. The current total compensation package Brigham nurses receive is at the top of the market locally and nationally, including:
The union is seeking 15% across-the-board increases over 1.5 years, in addition to the guaranteed 5%, along with a new top step that is 5% higher for experienced nurses, and other economic proposals. Combined the union’s proposal would provide 20% increases annually to nurses on steps and 20% to those at the top scale, exceeding $143 million in additional nursing labor costs.
Recent past contracts have included additional across-the-board increases on top of the step-scale to respond to market conditions at the time. However, continuing that pattern in every contract cycle is not financially sustainable, especially when current wage market data does not support another across-the-board increase. We remain fully committed to retaining our nurses and have been encouraged by recent staffing trends which have stabilized the Brigham nursing workforce significantly.
Our Proposal
We believe our offer recognizes our Brigham nurses and their essential contributions as valued members of our care teams, while also considering their position at the top of the current market and balancing our responsibility to ensure long-term sustainability by investing fairly and equitably in all roles across our system. Our proposal ensures:
- Every nurse receives a meaningful wage increase either through the guaranteed 5% annual step increase or a top-of-scale increase for experienced nurses who are already at the maximum
- Continued investment in shift differentials, professional development, and other supports and continuity of generous health benefits
We remain committed to bargaining in good faith for a fair contract for our Brigham nurses and have upcoming sessions scheduled on May 6 and 12.
We will continue to keep you updated as negotiations progress over the coming weeks. We will share more materials designed to educate and inform you on our position. Please let us know if you have questions.
