Nurses at the UMass Memorial Medical Center’s University Campus authorized a 14-day strike late Wednesday as contract negotiations stalled over concerns about staffing shortages and workplace safety.
Nearly all voting nurses voted to authorize the strike, with 1,233 approving the measure and only 17 voting against it, according to the Massachusetts Nurses Association, the union representing 1,500 nurses at the Level 1 Trauma Center. Strike approval does not necessarily mean that a walkout will happen. By law, the union has to give 10 days’ notice in advance of any strike to allow the hospital time to minimize patient care disruptions.
Still, the strike authorization sets the stage for yet another showdown between unionized health care workers and a major Massachusetts health system. Nurses at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and health care providers at Mass General Brigham Home Care are scheduled to begin respective strikes on July 8.
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After months of negotiations, University Campus union members and hospital leaders have been unable to agree on methods to address what nurses say is a chronic staffing problem that threatens the well-being of patients and staff. The union is seeking more competitive wages to recruit and retain needed staff, as well as constant availability of charge nurses, who direct the assignment of patients while stepping in during crises.
Ellen Smith, nurse and co-chair of the University Campus bargaining unit, said that, since the COVID-19 pandemic, the emergency department has felt akin to an Army field hospital. The trauma center sees patients with the most severe illnesses and injuries in the region.
“We are all now dealing with the stress and moral injury of working in an environment that is not suited to support the level of care our patients need in these post-COVID years,” Smith said. “The message from our nurses with this vote was undeniable. UMass Memorial’s nurses are united, determined, and prepared to fight for the future of patient care at this hospital.”
In a statement, UMass Memorial Health spokesperson Kristy Lee said the system remains committed to reaching a fair agreement.
“A work stoppage impacts everyone,” Lee said in the statement. “We are confident we can reach a resolution that is beneficial to our nurses and non-nursing caregivers, the care we provide to our patients, and the overall stability of the Medical Center.”
UMass Memorial has struggled financially recently, a trend that could continue because of massive impending Medicaid cuts by the Trump administration.
The Central Massachusetts health system reported a $159.7 million operating loss on $4.7 billion in revenue for the year ending in September, a huge shift from the $25.2 million gain on $4.3 billion in revenue the year prior. The system shut down several programs, including two primary care clinics and a substance use treatment center for teens.
Should the strike move forward, UMass Memorial said it will implement plans to maintain hospital operations and avoid disruption of essential services.
Marin Wolf can be reached at marin.wolf@globe.com.