Nurses again protest outside St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, demanding safer staffing, stronger retention measures, and a first union contract. The 24-hour strike began at 7 a.m. on July 6 outside Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital, reports the Baltimore Chronicle.
More than 600 registered nurses are represented by National Nurses United. Contract negotiations have continued since January 2024 without an agreement on several major workplace issues.
Why St. Agnes Nurses Are Protesting Again
Union representatives accuse the hospital of reducing staff hours while demanding greater productivity. Nurses also oppose assignments that move employees into unfamiliar departments.
They say medical-surgical nurses have been assigned to postpartum and pediatric units. The union argues that such transfers can expose patients and staff to avoidable risks.
The nurses are seeking:
- Safer nurse-to-patient staffing levels.
- Limits on assignments outside a nurse’s specialty.
- Measures to retain experienced registered nurses.
- A binding first collective bargaining agreement.
Staffing remains the central dispute. The union says excessive patient loads prevent nurses from delivering proper bedside care.
Hospital Remains Open During the Strike
Ascension said Saint Agnes would remain fully operational during the walkout. The hospital hired credentialed replacement nurses through a specialist staffing agency.
| Key detail | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Strike period | July 6, 7 a.m. to July 7, 7 a.m. |
| Location | 900 South Caton Avenue, Baltimore |
| Main dispute | Staffing, retention, floating assignments |
| Negotiations began | January 2024 |
| Hospital status | Open with replacement nurses |
Management disputes the union’s account of the negotiations. Ascension says the unresolved issue includes mandatory union dues.
The hospital also announced an average 7% wage increase effective August 2, 2026. It said nurses received an average 9% increase during 2025.
Second St. Agnes Nurses Strike Within One Year
The latest action follows the nurses’ first strike in July 2025. That walkout also focused on staffing, turnover, and assignments outside specialized units.
The repeated protests show that the central contract disputes remain unresolved. Both sides continue to frame patient safety as their primary concern.
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