New York, NY—On Friday afternoon, New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) nurses at Gracie Square Hospital, part of the NewYork-Presbyterian health system and one of the few dedicated psychiatric hospitals in New York City, ratified a new contract with an overwhelming majority of nurses voting in favor of ratification.

The new three-year contract, which will be in effect until May 2026, includes significant gains, such as wage increases and additional staffing. Nurses gained an 18% base salary increase over the course of the contract with yearly increases of about 7%, 6% and 5% with full retroactive pay. These increases are in line with increases at other NewYork-Presbyterian hospitals that have recently settled contracts with NYSNA.

The agreement includes additional staffing with the immediate hire of 10.4 new nurses to cover both day and night shifts, improving safe patient care.

It also strengthens accountability of safe staffing guidelines with the implementation of an external grievance and arbitration processes.

Other contract highlights include the addition of Juneteenth (June 19) as a holiday, increased tuition reimbursement, and an added protection against gender-based discrimination.

The ratification comes on the heels of a recent strike authorization vote with 95% of members voting ‘yes’ to strike. That vote sent a strong message to management that nurses put safe staffing for their patients at the forefront of their fight.

NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN said: “This is the first time Gracie Square Hospital nurses have taken a vote to strike, which demonstrates the seriousness of the issues they face and their commitment to patient and nurse safety. We are proud of what they've achieved for their patients and profession. When we fight, we win.”

NYSNA Executive Committee member Mitchelle Salih, RN, said “Gracie Square nurses made it clear from the beginning that this was a fight for safe patient care. Thanks to our nurses’ unwavering commitment and participation, we won improved staffing standards and better wages so we can provide a vulnerable population with the care they deserve. I couldn’t be prouder of what we accomplished together.”