(STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK) - New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA)-represented Nurses employed at Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH)/Northwell have voted by more than 93% in favor of ratifying a new three-year contract that includes significant improvements to wages, safe staffing and Retiree health benefits.

The 1,300 Nurses at SIUH/Northwell were ready to Strike over safe staffing, but instead won a huge victory for safe staffing standards that protect patient care for Staten Island.  

Highlights of the contract include: Improved Safe Staffing Standards with stronger enforcement.  The agreement adds Nurse staffing on 18 Units that need help and includes an expedited process for creating Staffing Standards in new Units.  For the first time, legally binding arbitration to resolve short-staffing issues was added to the contract, as was a process for determining additional staffing needs for new buildings and Units as Northwell expands.  Northwell will need to hire more than 100 new Nurses to meet the improved Safe Staffing Standards; Historic wage increases totaling 22.12%, including annual pay increases, market adjustment pay and experience pay, bringing SIUH Nurse pay to parity with other New York City Private Sector Hospitals; Improved health care for Retired Nurses through a new Retiree Medical Program Option for Northwell’s pre-and post-65 plans, and the addition of Northwell Anthem Value Plan with lifetime Retiree health care; A new paid holiday for Nurses - MLK, Jr. Day Holiday; and Increased employer contributions to NYSNA Health and Pension Plan per current Trustee rates.  

NYSNA President Nancy Hagans said, “As a Staten Island resident, I am so proud of this deal Nurses won to protect care for our community.  SIUH/Northwell Nurses have shown once again that when Nurses join together and stay united for our patients, nothing is unwinnable.” 

NYSNA represents more than 42,000 Members across the State and is New York’s largest Union and Professional Association for Registered Nurses.

NYSNA is an affiliate of National Nurses United, the country's largest and fastest-growing Union and Professional Association of Registered Nurses, with more than 225,000 Members nationwide.

To Read This Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: Staten Island Nurses Ratify Union Contract with Over 93% Voting to Ratify | New York State Nurses Association (nysna.org)