By Chris Helms
The Enterprise
April 22, 2026
Almost 500 workers at Boston Medical Center South in Brockton say they’ll start a three-day strike on April 30. The notice from the Massachusetts Nurses Association comes after a different hospital union, 1199 Service Employees International Union, set a May 1 walkout date.
The labor unrest comes as new, non-profit operator Boston Medical Center Health System hammers out the first contracts since it took over from the disgraced, for-profit Steward Health Care.
“MNA’s and SEIU’s decision to strike is particularly disappointing considering ongoing crises — this month’s cybersecurity incident at Signature Brockton Hospital that adds pressure to regional care needs in Brockton and an electrical fire at BMC Brighton that disrupted operations,” BMC said in an April 21 statement. “Their decision to strike puts patient access at risk.”
MNA members have authorized a strike at BMC Brighton, but are holding off setting a date, “to prevent further disruption to patient care and to support the full restoration of services for their already beleaguered community” the MNA said.
Why did Brockton nurses set a strike date?
The nurses union announced a three-day strike. The MNA said it would strike over staffing levels, wages and cuts to health benefits.
“We do not want to strike. But BMC management has left us with no other choice. They won’t hear us,” Registered Nurse Maureen Healey said. “They don’t believe us when we say that the contract improvements we are fighting for are necessary to keep patients safe.”
Healey, who has worked at the Pearl Street facility for nearly 30 years, is co-chair of the MNA’s committee.
The National Labor Relations Board requires unions give health care facilities a 10-day notice of any strike.
Boston Medical Center seeks financial stability
BMC said it must have labor contracts that are “financially stable in the long term” amid continuing financial pressure.
“Our offer includes a market-competitive wage and benefits package, and a commitment to staffing that provides high-quality care to our community,” the health system said. “Both notification and execution of a strike add to our financial deficit and put long-term patient and community access to healthcare services at risk in these locations.”
Recent talks held
An MNA spokesperson said talks were taking place on Wednesday, April 22. A representative of 1199 SEIU said it had a bargaining session on Monday, April 21. At press time on April 22, no further talks with 1199 SEIU were scheduled.
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