Somerville council adopts resolution supporting Mass General Brigham primary care physicians and unionization effort

The Somerville City Council approved a resolution, sponsored by Councilor Burnley, expressing support for primary-care physicians at Mass General Brigham and urging the health system to recognize their union and bargain in good faith.

Councilor Burnley introduced the resolution and invited Dr. Madhuri (Madhuri) Morrell, a Somerville resident and primary care physician at Mass General Brigham, to speak. Dr. Morrell described heavy workloads for primary-care doctors, excessive asynchronous work outside scheduled clinical hours, staffing reductions and pay pressures she and colleagues attribute to the corporatization of health care. Dr. Morrell said a majority of primary-care physicians across MGB had filed with the National Labor Relations Board and alleged the health system had engaged outside counsel and delayed bargaining and election processes.

Several councilors spoke in support; multiple councilors cosponsored the resolution on the floor. Councilors referenced reporting about Mass General Brigham executive compensation and said the city should send a message of support to local health-care workers. The council approved the resolution; the clerk recorded that the item was approved without a detailed roll-call recorded in the item discussion.