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Nurses and Home Care Clinicians Plan Large-Scale Strike Amid Sector Challenges

Published July 8, 2026 at 1:16 PM UTC

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In a significant development within Massachusetts' healthcare sector, over 4,500 nurses and home care clinicians employed by Mass General Brigham (MGB) are set to initiate a large-scale strike on July 8, 2026. This action is poised to become the largest healthcare worker strike in the state's history. The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) has announced that more than 4,000 registered nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital and approximately 450 clinicians from MGB Home Care will participate in the strike.

The primary catalyst for this strike is the ongoing impasse in contract negotiations between the MNA and MGB. The union has been advocating for competitive wage increases that align with the rising cost of living, affordable health insurance, and enhanced protections for patient care. Data from the MassINC Policy Center indicates that the income required to maintain a middle-class standard of living for a family of four in Massachusetts has surged by 50% from 2020 to 2024.

In response, MGB has stated that Brigham nurses are "among the highest compensated in the market." The hospital system has also emphasized its commitment to maintaining high-quality patient care during the strike.

The strike is scheduled to commence at 7 a.m. on July 8, with the nurses' walkout lasting one day, followed by a four-day lockout imposed by MGB. Concurrently, MGB Home Care clinicians plan to initiate a seven-day strike starting at 8 a.m. on the same day.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey have urged both parties to resume negotiations to avert the strike. They expressed concerns about the potential disruptions to patient care and the broader impact on the Greater Boston region.

This impending strike underscores the broader challenges facing healthcare workers in Massachusetts, including issues related to staffing levels, compensation, and working conditions. The outcome of this labor action may have significant implications for the state's healthcare system and could set a precedent for similar movements in other regions.