Nurses at Tufts Medical Center in Boston went on strike Wednesday, July 12 in protest of what they say are unfair wages, staffing and proposed pension changes. More than 1,200 nurses reportedly participated in the strike. 

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This was the first time in 31 years that nurses have gone on strike in Boston.
Meredith Nierman/WGBH News

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Nurses and their allies made up the picket line.
Meredith Nierman/WGBH News

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The strikers wore signs expressing their grievances.
Meredith Nierman/WGBH News

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Some nurses wore their scrubs.
Meredith Nierman/WGBH News

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Signs were ready and waiting for picketers who joined in later in the day.
Meredith Nierman/WGBH News

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Refreshments were available to keep the strikers energized.
Meredith Nierman/WGBH News

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Tufts Medical Center remained open during the strike, staffed with temporary nurses.
Meredith Nierman/WGBH News

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Furry friends accompanied the strikers.
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Allies included those in other service professions, such as teachers.
Meredith Nierman/WGBH News

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Alexis Marques and Chelsea Keefe from Pelham, NH joined the march with their mother Millie Marques, who recently retired from Tufts after 16 years in the Medical Intensive Care Unit.
Meredith Nierman/WGBH News

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Ryan Wooley, age 5, of Tewksbury, Mass. marched with his mother Rebecca Saporito, a critical care nurse at Tufts.
Meredith Nierman/WGBH News

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Carlos Arredondo, who is considered a hero for stepping in to help during the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, was also in attendance.
Meredith Nierman/WGBH News