(RIVERHEAD & VALLEY STREAM, NEW YORK) - New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA)-represented Nurses and Health Care Professionals employed at Northwell Health/Peconic Bay Medical Center (Peconic) and Long Island Jewish Valley Stream (LIJ Valley Stream) ratified new contracts Wednesday (February 21st) with more than 85% voting in favor of ratification.

Both three-year contracts improve safe staffing standards and wages - the key demands of NYSNA Members at both Northwell facilities.

The Peconic contract in effect from January 1st, 2024-December 31st, 2026 achieves: Improvements to safe staffing standards, including ratio and staffing level improvements to cardiac catheterization, telemetry, and Emergency Departments.  Many Units must also now staff to higher levels based on patient acuity; Stronger, expedited safe staffing enforcement; Enhanced language to ensure Members get meals and breaks; Protection of NYSNA Health and Pension Benefits; Eligibility to participate in the employer's pre-and-post 65 Retiree Health Insurance; Increased tuition reimbursement; Average wage increases of 185 to 20% over three years, depending on experience and job title; and a Greater voice in epidemic and pandemic preparation and safety, including participation in the Infection Prevention Committee.

The LIJ Valley Stream contract in effect from January 1st, 2024 to December 31st, 2026 achieves: Improvements to safe staffing standards, including in medical-surgical, telemetry and Emergency Department Units; Addition of new Nurse positions in the Emergency Department holding area; Stronger, expedited safe staffing enforcement; Improved benefits, including pension improvements; Eligibility to participate in the employer's pre-and-post 65 Retiree Health Benefits; Increased tuition reimbursement; Average wage increases of 19.3% to the base Registered Nursing rate over three years, with additional money depending on experience; and a Greater voice in epidemic and pandemic preparation and safety, including participation in the Infection Prevention Committee.

NYSNA represents 300 Registered Nurses at LIJ Valley Stream and 400 Registered Nurses, X-Ray Technicians, Lab Technicians, Respiratory Therapists, Pharmacists, and other Health Care Professionals at Peconic.

Members at both facilities had contracts that expired on December 31st, 2023 had been at the negotiating table for months, and voted to authorize a Strike earlier this month.

NYSNA Members notified Northwell of their intent to strike on February 21st if an agreement could not be reached.

With Members at both facilities voting to ratify new contracts, the potential Strike was averted.

NYSNA has won new contracts with significant safe staffing and wage increases for Nurses and Health Care Workers across Long Island in recent months.

These two contracts close out a total of five recent Northwell negotiations on Long Island since the beginning of 2023 and three negotiations with Catholic Health Hospitals.

NYSNA President Nancy Hagans said: “Congratulations to our Members at Northwell/Peconic Bay and LIJ Valley Stream who demonstrated once again that when we fight, we win!  NYSNA Health Care Workers were ready to do whatever it takes to defend safe patient care for all communities across Long Island.  These new contracts set a high standard on Long Island and everywhere for Nurses, Health Care Professionals and our patients.”

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