RNs and healthcare workers secure 4-year contract for safety, retention

November 1, 2024 Last updated : November 1, 2024 Editorial Staff

California Health Care Workers Approve New Contract with Enhanced Safety Measures

In a decisive vote on October 29 and 30, health care professionals at San Gabriel Valley Medical Center in San Gabriel and Whittier Hospital Medical Center in Whittier, California, ratified a new four-year agreement. The contract, which aims to enhance patient safety and improve staff retention, was announced by the California Nurses Association/Caregivers and Healthcare Employees Union (CNA/CHEU).

Veronica Rocha, RN, who works in the wound care unit and is a member of CNA’s bargaining team at San Gabriel Valley Medical Center, stated, “This new contract allows our nurses to maintain quality and continuity of care for our patients. We deserve this. Our collective voice and advocacy for safe and healthy working conditions helps us serve our patients and community.”

Mary Biter, LVN, serving in the sub-acute unit and part of the CHEU bargaining team, emphasized the importance of the contract for workforce stability, saying, “This contract makes it possible to recruit and retain experienced health care workers. It guarantees better working conditions and stronger protections for us all. I’m confident that with all these improvements, staff will see a long future at San Gabriel Valley Medical Center serving patients and their families.”

Key Features of the Contract

  • Enhancements to health and safety protocols.

  • Increased safeguards against subcontracting practices.

  • No reductions in existing contract terms.

  • Competitive compensation and benefits to attract and retain experienced nurses and hospital staff.

The new contract is set to be in effect from October 23, 2024, through June 30, 2028.

Olivia Mendez, RN, from the direct observation unit and a CNA bargaining team member at Whittier Hospital Medical Center, highlighted the significance of the agreement, stating, “The biggest win on our contract is being able to voice our nurses’ concerns and address issues with working conditions and the safety of our patients. The improvements made help nurses continue to advocate for nurse and patient safety.”

The California Nurses Association represents over 380 nurses at San Gabriel Valley Medical Center and more than 285 nurses at Whittier Hospital Medical Center. The Caregivers and Healthcare Employees Union represents more than 330 health care workers at San Gabriel Valley Medical Center.

Caregivers and Healthcare Employees Union (CHEU) is affiliated with the California Nurses Association. CNA/National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the nation, with more than 100,000 members in over 200 facilities throughout California and nearly 225,000 RNs nationwide.

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November 1, 2024