On Friday, February 24, nurses at South Shore University Hospital/ Northwell Health finally ratified a new three-year contract. 

Nurses have been in negotiations for nearly one year to win safe staffing and fair wages that will help recruit and retain nurses. They recently escalated their campaign for a fair contract by marching on the boss, speaking out in the press, launching an ad campaign, and delivering a strike notice. 

Less than one week before nurses were scheduled to strike, NYSNA nurses won improvements to safe staffing standards, including expedited arbitration of staffing disputes to enforce new standards, as part of the new contract. They also won an average 18.65% salary increase over the life of the three-year contract, including experience pay to retain nurses. The contract also includes the addition of Juneteenth as a paid holiday and improvement to retiree health benefits. 

NYSNA local president at South Shore University Hospital Chrysse Blau, RN said, “Nurses fought for the care our patients deserve, and today we won. The new safe staffing standards and salary increases mean more nurses will choose to come and stay at South Shore, it means more nurses at the bedside when our patients need us most, and most importantly, it means we get to practice safely and with the dignity and respect we deserve.” 

Management heard their collective power and voices loud and clear. Congratulations, South Shore NYSNA nurses, on this victory and for your advocacy and dedication to patients and the community!