“The decision by the MNA nurses’ union at Tufts Medical Center to strike is unfortunate and misguided. The strike harms the best interests of everyone involved – patients, nurses, and the hospital.  And the action could have been prevented.

The MNA’s own documents reveal that the union deliberately timed the strike to be "most harmful to the hospital," which is completely irresponsible. The targeted action will ultimately harm the nurses themselves and cost millions that will be drawn from the funding the hospital had available for nurses' wage increases. Even the disingenuous labeling of the strike as a one-day action was a strong-armed negotiating tactic since the union knew that any replacement nurses must be hired for a minimum number of days. 

Tufts Medical Center has been both responsible and responsive in these negotiations. The hospital contracted and trained replacement nurses to ensure that even with the union’s efforts to damage the hospital and disrupt patient care, Tufts Medical Center will continue its mission uninterrupted, and patient care will remain at the center of everything they do. By continuing a hostile approach to interactions with Tufts Medical Center and other hospitals that employ its nurses, the MNA union leadership has shown in very concrete actions that they are not only willing but eager to put themselves before patients.” 

About the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA):

The Massachusetts Health &Hospital Association (MHA) is a voluntary, not-for-profit organization comprised of hospitals, health systems, caregivers, related organizations, and other members with a common interest in promoting the good health of the people of the commonwealth. Through leadership in public advocacy, education, and information, MHA represents and advocates for the collective interests of its members and supports their efforts to provide high quality, cost effective and accessible care.