Boston – November 12, 2026 -- More than 4,000 registered nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital reached a tentative contract agreement with Mass General Brigham on Wednesday, November 11, averting an open-ended strike set to begin November 12. The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) represents the nurses. The agreement came hours before the walkout was due to start.
Contract caps reliance on temporary nurses with 20 new float pool positions
The hospital will post 20 new 36-hour float pool nurse positions to limit its use of temporary staff and reduce floating of nurses between units. Contract language states that the hospital does not intend to replace permanent Brigham nurses with temporary nurses. The hospital must also give the MNA a rationale whenever temporary nurses cover more than 15% of the FTE positions in any unit or cost center.
The hospital will track floating and temporary-nurse use for each unit and share the data with the MNA. A new joint Staffing and Resources Committee will review it. Charge nurses and Nurses-in-Charge are guaranteed a less acute patient assignment or none, so they can manage patient flow and support bedside colleagues.
Wage scale gains two new top steps and a $1,000 bonus
The contract runs from ratification to September 30, 2028. A new top step 2.5% above step 21 takes effect November 15, 2026. A second new top step, 2.5% above step 22, follows on September 30, 2027. Nurses below the top step receive a $1,000 bonus on ratification, pro-rated by FTE hours.
Nurses block a Harvard Pilgrim premium increase
Nurses defeated a proposed increase in the Harvard Pilgrim premium split for all current nurses. In a compromise on individual plans, current 40-hour nurses keep premium-free coverage. Newly hired 40-hour nurses will contribute 2.5% of the premium.
Additional terms cover APRN time, cancellations and education
The hospital must meet with the MNA to work toward dedicated practice management time for ambulatory advanced practice registered nurses. The MNA says the hospital has provided this time inconsistently, with management pressuring APRNs to chart without pay.
The agreement adds travelers and other temporary staff to the cancellation order. It requires advance notice or compensation when certain extra shifts are canceled. It also provides additional education funding, guaranteed conference time and specialty certification reimbursement for all regularly scheduled nurses. Other changes add grandchildren to bereavement leave, improve vacation access, protect nurses' use of hospital mobile devices and provide paid time for workplace-related court appearances.
Months of escalation preceded the deal
Nurses held a one-day strike and four-day lockout beginning July 8. They authorized an open-ended strike by an overwhelming vote on September 24 and issued notice on October 2 for a strike starting October 14. On October 22 and 23 they rejected what Mass General Brigham called its "last, best, and final" offer.
The BWH MNA Bargaining Committee will recommend that nurses ratify the agreement. Committee Chair Kelly Morgan, a labor and delivery nurse, said the nurses "protected patients and the future of union nursing care at the Brigham."