NYSNA nurses achieved an incredible contract at New York City Health + Hospitals (NYC H+H) and Mayorals Agencies. We have been organizing for several months, leading rallies, appearing on the news, and talking to legislators about the importance of getting a fair contract and healthcare justice for "the other New York." Our hard work finally paid off, when we successfully ratified our contract by 94.53%.

The agreement directly meets the two biggest priorities of our members, and includes some real groundbreaking victories for public sector nurses.

The new contract will not only have enforceable staffing ratios for all in-patient acute units; it also includes a process to implement ratios for our long-term care and ambulatory units. It creates a mechanism to improve existing ratios, and develop new ratios for units that are based on census and acuity. Any disputes about the staffing ratios will be referred directly to the President of NYC H+H, and then to an independent professional mediator. The new contract also substantially closes the pay gap between the city and private sector nurses.

Highlights include:

• Groundbreaking enforceable minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios
• An overwhelming economic package including across-the-board increases with retroactivity, a clinical ladder, and certification differentials
• Early staff retention bonus
• Economic improvements for nurse practitioners
• Continuation of health and pension benefits
• Disaster relief provisions, and much, much more

These remarkable achievements mean our work is just beginning, as it’s up to all of us to make sure the contract is implemented properly. Enforcement of staffing ratios and new provisions will require the participation of all NYSNA members. We look forward to a productive 2020!