Boston council voices support for Brigham and Women’s nurses amid stalled contract talks

Boston City Council members on April 29 publicly backed nurses from Brigham and Women’s Hospital who told the council they had been negotiating a new contract since Oct. 25 and face proposals that include a 0% wage increase alongside higher health-insurance costs.

Councilor Flynn introduced members of the Mass Nurses Association and invited nurse representatives to the dais. Sarah Wheel, who identified herself as a registered nurse at Brigham and Women’s and secretary of the bargaining committee, said nurses were picketing the hospital the same day and described management proposals that would effectively reduce take-home pay by raising insurance costs while offering no wage increase for most nurses.

Wheel said nurses want a contract “that supports first and foremost safe patient care, provides competitive wages and affordable health insurance and respects the essential care we provide every single day.” Councilors responded with public expressions of solidarity and a resolution supporting the nurses’ bargaining position was placed on the agenda for council action later in the meeting.

Why it matters: Nurses are the primary bedside staff for patients across the hospital system; council members said low pay and higher insurance costs risk losing experienced staff and worsening staffing shortages that affect patient care. Several councilors urged hospital leadership to bargain in good faith and called the contract talks an issue of public concern for Boston residents who rely on the hospital’s services.

What’s next: The council adopted companion resolutions supporting nurses’ demands and encouraged continued negotiations; union representatives said they would continue bargaining and mobilizing public support.