NORTHAMPTON — A one-day strike is potentially on the table after a nearly unanimous vote by Cooley Dickinson Hospital nurses late last week, as they seek better work conditions, competitive wages, and affordable health insurance in the midst of ongoing contract negotiations.
The vote doesn’t mean a strike will occur. Rather, it is just another show of pressure to the hospital’s owner, Mass General Brigham (MGB), to heed their requests.
The nurse’s bargaining committee will determine if and when to set a strike date depending on the progress of negotiations moving forward. Before any strike can take place, the committee must legally provide a 10-day notice.
“Nurses have sent a clear message that we are united and ready to stand up for our patients and our community,” said Rosie Tottser, Cooley Dickinson nurse and co-chair of the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) Committee. The committee represents the nurses union at CDH.
“MGB is the wealthiest hospital system in New England, yet it refuses to invest in the frontline care that makes our community hospital strong,” Tottser said. “We are calling for the resources and respect our patients deserve.”
CDH’s Chief Nursing Officer Chika Anueyiagu said in a statement that “good faith” negotiations have been ongoing with MNA over 17 sessions since January 2025.
“We have presented a fair and equitable proposal and reached tentative agreements on many important issues,” she said. “Our focus remains on supporting our nurses while providing high-quality, safe care for our patients. If a strike were to be authorized by the MNA and were to take place, we are prepared to continue providing the excellent care our patients expect.”
Nurses are citing their frustration with high turnover rates and burnout among nurses that may lead to negative impacts on patients as part of the cause for threatening to strike. They expect these conditions to worsen as the hospital is about to open a brand new Emergency Department. The nurses are citing low pay for fueling turnover and burnout.
Cooley nurses make up to $15 an hour less than their peers at UMass Memorial for the same work load, and make far less than nurses at other MGB hospitals who recently won raises, MNA representatives said in a statement.
With regards to health insurance, the nurses are rallying against plans by MGB to replace Cooley Dickinson’s current insurance plan with three MGB plans that would entail higher out-of-pocket costs, and potential increases to premiums.
MGB also wants to redefine full-time positions, raising the bar from 30 to 36 hours, which the nurses are opposed to, the union said.
The vote on whether to strike was approved by 99% of nurses who voted, with 295 yes votes to three against. In all, 75% of Cooley Dickinson’s unionized nurses participated in the vote.
“Our vote shows the depth of solidarity among Cooley nurses,” said Aaron Winston, a CDH nurse and co-chair of the MNA Committee. “If MGB can pay its CEO more than $8 million a year, it can afford to ensure safe staffing and fair wages in Northampton. We remain hopeful that MGB will choose to negotiate a fair agreement so that a strike is not necessary.”
