Brigham and Women's nurses vote to authorize potential strike

By Globe Staff

Nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike if contract negotiations breakdown, according to a spokesman for the Massachusetts Nurses Association.

The vote, taken by secret ballot on Monday, does not mean a strike by the 2,700 registered nurses is imminent, said spokesman David Schildmeier. By law, the nurses must give 10 days notice before walking out.

"I can confirm that there was a vote to authorize a strike," said Schildmeier, who declined to give more details until a press conference scheduled for later today. The vote "authorizes the negotiating committee to call a strike."

Wages, sick time, benefits, and staffing are among the major sticking points, according the Massachusetts Nurses Association.

Nurses plan to gather outside the Boston hospital at Francis and Binney streets to discuss the vote.

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