Brigham nurses get ready to strike. David Williams puts it in context

Brigham and Women’s nurses are gearing up for an open-ended strike. But they are already well paid and management is ready, too. David Williams is quoted in the Boston Globe (In countdown to Brigham strike on Oct. 14, nurses union and MGB prepare for long-lasting upheaval)

David E. Williams, president of Health Business Group, a Boston management consulting firm, said a strike isn’t always financially disastrous for a hospital — and the public may be surprised to learn how well the nurses are paid.

“Replacement nurses are expensive but may not be more expensive than Brigham’s permanent staff,” he said. “MGB is betting it can absorb the pain longer than the nurses can go without paychecks.”