Although the union said the strike would last only one day, hospital officials said they would lock union nurses out and keep temporary workers in place for five days, citing “continuity of patient care” and “economic reasons.”

Members of the Massachusetts Nurses Association are scheduled to vote Monday to approve a strike, saying they have been disrespected by management during a contentious round of contract negotiations. They must provide 10 days’ notice before striking, so the earliest the work stoppage would be held is June 24.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital said Friday that it would hire hundreds of temporary workers and lock out union nurses for five days in the event of a one-day strike later this month.


The union and Brigham, a flagship teaching hospital owned by Partners HealthCare, disagree on wages, health benefits, and time off.

“The hospital is clearly more concerned about its profits and paying its executives enormous salaries than providing a safe, caring and respectful environment,” Trish Powers, a Brigham nurse and union official, said in a statement.

Brigham nurses authorized strikes in 1996 and 2006 but did not walk out. Contract negotiations between the union and the hospital have been ongoing for nine months.

“We have the utmost respect for our Brigham nurses and the unparalleled care they provide to our patients and their families,” the hospital said in a statement. “We are disappointed that the union has decided to call for a strike vote, but remain hopeful that the hospital and the union will reach an agreement on the contract.”

The hospital said it has offered nurses a fair and competitive three-year contract.

Brigham nurses receive 5 percent raises every year for their first 18 years on the job. The hospital’s offer would keep those annual raises in place, while giving most nurses an additional 1 percent increase over three years. Nurses already at the top of the pay scale would receive a 1.5 percent increase, plus a bonus.


Union officials say that offer does not go far enough. They want all nurses to get a 4 percent increase over 18 months, in addition to the existing step raises. They are seeking an 18-month contract. The average Brigham nurse makes $106,000 a year, plus benefits, according to the hospital.

In case of a work stoppage, Brigham officials said they are developing a “detailed operating plan” to ensure patients get proper care.

The hospital said it will contract with U.S. Nursing, a staffing firm, to hire 700 temporary nurses, who would work alongside about 130 Brigham nurses who are not members of the union. Those nurses represent a fraction of the union nurse workforce of 3,300.

“In the event of a strike, we anticipate that some patient appointments and procedures may be impacted,” Brigham said in its statement.

Priyanka Dayal McCluskey can be reached at priyanka.mccluskey@globe.com.