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For IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Feb 15, 2025  

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Boston City Council Unanimously Urges MGB to Recognize Unionizing Primary Care Physicians

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BOSTON, Massachusetts – On February 12, 2025, the Boston City Council unanimously passed a resolution urging Mass General Brigham (MGB) to “recognize the MGB Primary Care Physician union and enter into good-faith negotiations” to address pressing concerns that impact Boston residents.  

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The resolution highlights increasing alarm over the effects of top-down administrative decision-making, cautioning that such an approach could lead to poorer health outcomes when overextended physicians are unable to give patients the time and care they need. MGB Primary Care Physicians raised these concerns with Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune and Councilmember Sharon Durkan, who spearheaded the effort to draft and pass the resolution. 

The timing of this resolution is critical, as MGB’s recent mass layoffs have only heightened concerns over its treatment of frontline staff. Physicians warn that these cuts could threaten patient care, particularly as MGB targets experienced clinical operations managers. 

“MGB, in its first round of layoffs, has targeted nurse managers and various practice managers—who hold critical roles within our hospitals and practices,” says Dr. Jiani Guo from Brigham and Women's Faulkner Community Physicians at Hyde Park. “Instead of cutting essential staff, MGB should reconsider its priorities—starting with reducing excessive executive compensation, trimming the bloated ranks of high-level VPs, and ceasing to spend exorbitant amounts on hiring the most expensive anti-union law firms to fight its own frontline workers.”

On November 15, 2024, around 330 primary care physicians at Mass General Hospital (MGH) and Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) filed for a union election with Doctors Council, SEIU, the country’s oldest and largest union for attending physicians. Since then, MGB has poured significant resources into delaying the election and challenging the physicians’ right to unionize, instead of addressing the urgent issues raised by its frontline doctors. These delaying tactics have prolonged the process for months, forcing both physicians and patients to endure unnecessary setbacks.  

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Despite these challenges, the physicians remain steadfast in their efforts and deeply appreciate the outpouring of support. “We deeply appreciate the interest, advocacy and support for our union on the part of the Boston City Council President and all members of the council. It is our privilege to serve the people of this city as our city counselors do day in and day out,” said Dr. Benjamin Kerman, of Brigham and Women’s Primary Care Associates of Longwood.  

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The organizing physicians are steadfast in their mission to tackle systemic barriers undermining primary care, including severe staffing shortages, administrative burdens, and profit-driven decision-making.

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For more details on the campaign, visit [https://www.mgbprimarycareunion.org/](https://www.mgbprimarycareunion.org/).  

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For media inquiries, please contact:

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Gabrielle Cicourel Hanley  

Lead Organizer, Doctors Council  

ghdoctorscouncil@gmail.com

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