Smithtown, N.Y. – Nurses at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital have reached a tentative agreement days after nurses voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike with 98% of nurses voting in favor of authorization. Nurses went back to the bargaining table Thursday, Aug. 17 and were able to reach a deal with the hospital early this morning.

Since negotiations began on June 30, nurses have been clear about their commitment to doing “whatever it takes” to win a fair contract by packing the room during bargaining meetings, launching a petition campaign, and having over 130 nurses march on the CEO to present their demands on July 26. Their overwhelming support for calling a strike if necessary demonstrated to management they were united and committed to winning a fair contract.

Their efforts paid off as the tentative agreement includes two of the most important demands for nurses: Safe staffing with improved ratios and enforcement measures, and respectful wages for nurses. St. Catherine nurses will begin voting to ratify the contract on Tuesday, Aug. 22. More details about the agreement will be released after the ratification vote.