More than 4,000 registered nurses and 450 Home Care clinicians have returned to work this week after the largest nursing strike in Massachusetts history. Although both groups have returned to their patients, Union Leaders say the fight for a fair contract is not over.

“Now the responsibility falls squarely on Mass General Brigham’s board-member billionaires and multimillionaire executives,” Bargaining Committee Chair Kelly Morgan said. “MGB must recognize what this movement has become and return to bargaining prepared to negotiate in good faith.”

The strike began on July 8 after Mass General Brigham (MGB) refused to negotiate with Brigham and Women’s Hospital nurses and MGB Home Care clinicians. Both groups have been negotiating for contracts that include competitive wages, stronger recruitment and retention, and additional protections for the quality of patient care.

“We will return to the patients and families who count on us every day, with tremendous pride in what our clinicians accomplished together over the past week,” said Shannon Viera, Chair of the Home Care Bargaining Committee. “MGB has repeatedly refused to engage with us. This is exactly why the public has a growing distrust of the executives running our healthcare system.”

At Tuesday’s rally held outside MGB’s Assembly Row headquarters, MNA Home Care clinicians closed out their strike with the support of patients, local electeds, and other labor unions.

These healthcare professionals include registered nurses, physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, social workers, and dietitians have been bargaining with MGB for their first union contract for over a year now.

Teamsters Local 122 President Payton Corbett accused MGB board member Carl Martignetti, who also owns the Martignetti Liquor Company and Quality Beverage, of negotiating with his union but failing to compel MGB to do the same with MNA.

“I know today might be the end of this first step, but it’s just the beginning, and I can tell you that the Teamsters will be here with you every step of the way,” he said.

SEIU 509 Regional Vice President Marianne Walles added that she is proud to stand in solidarity with MNA and that MGB cannot continue to put corporate greed over patient care,

“We know that home health care workers and patients deserve better than what they’re getting,” she said. “If they really wanted to show a community investment, they would be back at the table giving you all a fair contract so that you can give the good quality care that you do for all our residents.”

Somerville State Representative Erika Uyterhoeven said that MNA has the support of not only elected officials, but community members who recognize their hard work.

“I am so incredibly grateful for each and every one of you for standing up on behalf of home care clinicians, healthcare workers across the country, and honestly, workers everywhere,” she said.

Elected members at every level of state and local government have voiced support for MNA following months of lapsed negotiations. 

In April, the Boston City Council unanimously passed a resolution sponsored by Councilor Ed Flynn supporting the MNA in their effort to receive “the respect and dignity they deserve.”

“I remain proud to stand with them in their fight for fair wages, affordable healthcare, safe working conditions, and the dignity and respect they have earned,” Flynn said in a statement. “Supporting our nurses means supporting quality patient care, strengthening our healthcare system, and standing with the working men and women who keep our communities healthy and safe.”

As MNA and MGB return to negotiations, nurses and Home Care clinicians remain without a contract. Throughout the strike and picketing sessions, MBG has brought in temporary replacements for striking nurses, locking them out for five days following the strike, sent cease-and-desist letters to MNA over “significant noise,” and maintained that the union has the right to picket but is interfering with patient care by doing so.

Little progress has been made toward finding common ground, even with Governor Maura Healey summoning both groups to Beacon Hill to jumpstart discussions.

“I had felt confident that we wouldn’t have to end up on strike,” Viera said Monday. “To be here on day six of a seven-day strike doesn’t instill confidence in management coming to the table.”