MGB Home Care Clinicians Resume Duties After Week-Long Strike

The strike, which involved registered nurses, physical therapists, and other specialized caregivers, concludes as these clinicians continue a year-long negotiation process with Mass General Brigham. Shannon Viera, chair of the bargaining committee, stated that the labor action bolstered the staff's resolve to secure a deal that protects the quality of care provided in home settings across eastern Massachusetts. The dispute centers on the unique challenges of home care, where staff provide hospital-level interventions such as IV medication management and post-surgical rehabilitation without the immediate peer support found in a clinical facility.

This labor action occurred alongside the conclusion of a separate strike and lockout at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, marking these events as the largest healthcare labor dispute in state history. Union representatives argue that a formal, enforceable contract is the only viable path to curbing burnout and ensuring continuity for patients who rely on these services to avoid hospitalization. While the picketing has ended, the union remains focused on its objective of establishing competitive wages and manageable workloads that reflect the complex nature of their work.