Women & Infants Hospital says it’s reached a tentative agreement on a new nearly three-year contract with members of the 1199 SEIU NE union.
Frontline caregivers had voted last week to authorize a strike, citing uncompetitive wages and a refusal to bargain in good faith, among other things. Union officials said the hospital’s lack of adequate pay was contributing to increasing stress among workers and was also making it difficult for the hospital to address staffing shortages.
Hospital officials say the new deal is a step in the right direction, as it includes salary increases and preserves worker pensions.
“Women & Infants holds a special place in Rhode Island healthcare and this contract recognizes the talents, skills, and compassion of our team members while ensuring the hospital’s sustainability for the community,” Women & Infants President Shannon R. Sullivan said in a news release.
“We are very pleased that we have reached an agreement on a contract that benefits both our staff and Women & Infants Hospital,” Sullivan said. “We are ready to move forward with all our colleagues to focus on what is most important: providing outstanding care.”
The contract still needs to be ratified by union members.
“After bargaining for nearly 17 hours, we are pleased that our Women & Infants union bargaining committee was able to reach a tentative agreement with management that includes industry-leading wages increases and improvements to benefits that will help recruit and retain qualified staff across all departments and units,” said Nancy Chandley Adams, Registered Nurse in the Lactation Unit and member of the bargaining committee.
“It has not been an easy road but we are hopeful this allows us a new opportunity for respect and communication between union workers and management to the benefit of our patients,” Chandley Adams said.
