Salinas Valley Health RNs Ratify New Contract for Enhanced Safety & Pay

Salinas Valley Health Nurses Ratify New Contract

Salinas Valley Health Medical Center's registered nurses have overwhelmingly approved a new four-year agreement, as reported by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU). This contract aims to bolster nurse retention and recruitment, advance patient care and nursing practices, and introduce new measures for health, safety, and workplace violence prevention alongside dedicated break relief protections.

"Thanks to the solidarity and collective strength of our frontline RNs, we were able to win a strong contract that not only sets the standard for our facility, but also for other union and non-union hospitals across the Central Coast," stated Tracy Chavez, an intensive care unit RN and CNA nurse negotiator.

Key Provisions of the Contract

• Introduction of health and safety and workplace violence prevention measures for the first time
• New guarantees for RN break relief throughout the facility
• Compliance with S.B. 1334 on meal and rest breaks, including penalty pay for infractions
• Improved RN floating and cancellation protocols to elevate patient care and nursing practice standards
• Enhanced protections for nursing judgment and expertise against A.I. and technology intervention
• A landmark 20 percent salary increase over four years to aid retention, recruitment, and safe staffing

Negotiations for the contract commenced in April 2024. Salinas Valley Health nurses staged an informational picket in October and submitted a strike pledge to the employer on December 9.

The CNA represents approximately 730 nurses at Salinas Valley Health. The contract is set to remain in effect until March 14, 2028, with final ratification by the Salinas Valley Health Medical Center Board of Directors expected on Thursday, December 19.

The California Nurses Association/National Nurses United, the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the country, boasts 100,000 members across more than 200 facilities in California and nearly 225,000 RNs nationwide.

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