STRIKE AVERTED: NORTHWELL/SOUTH SHORE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NURSES DECLARE VICTORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Contact: Andrea Penman-Lomeli | press@nysna.org | 347-559-3169
Diana Moreno | press@nysna.org | 917-327-2302
STRIKE AVERTED: NORTHWELL/SOUTH SHORE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NURSES DECLARE VICTORY
Northwell/South Shore nurses reached a tentative agreement with management that defends safe staffing standards and includes higher wages and recruitment and retention incentives to ensure quality patient care
Over 900 nurses will vote on whether to ratify the contract starting March 14
Bay Shore, N.Y.— New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) nurses at Northwell/South Shore University Hospital reached a tentative contract agreement on March 11 after bargaining through the night, averting a looming March 17 strike.
The tentative agreement includes improvements to safe staffing standards and stronger safe staffing enforcement, which are essential for quality patient care. The agreement adds nurse staffing on units with severe safe staffing issues, including the emergency department and labor and delivery, and makes improvements to guarantee break periods. Notably, this is the first nurses’ contract in New York state that specifically includes the ability for nurses to review and make recommendations prior to and during the implementation of any artificial intelligence that could potentially impact nurses.
The wage increases that nurses won bring Northwell/South Shore nurse pay up on par with other Long Island nurse wages. Over the three-year life of the contract, wage increases total between $18,000 to $20,000 over the life of the contract, and include annual pay increases, experience pay improvements for pension, and improvements to retiree healthcare. More details about the agreement will be released pending ratification. Members will begin voting on whether to ratify the contract on March 13.
JoAnne DeAntonio, RN, BSN, CEN, and local union president said, “We advocated for safer staffing levels, improved working conditions and fair wages to ensure that we can continue to deliver the high standard of care our patients deserve. And after months of fighting, we achieved what we set out to win. We’re glad that our voices were heard because we are not just fighting for ourselves; we are fighting for our patients, for our families, and for the future of healthcare in our region.”
NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN, said: “After speaking out and taking a near unanimous strike vote, Northwell/South Shore nurses showed that they would stop at nothing to achieve a fair contract that protects quality care. NYSNA is proud that our members continually stand up against the wealthiest employers in the state and fight until they get what they and their patients deserve.”
On Feb 26, nurses held a speak-out at the hospital and announced that they voted in favor of authorizing an unfair labor practice strike by over 99 percent. Nurses have been urging Northwell to prioritize negotiating a fair and on-time contract, respect their nurses and settle a fair contract with safe staffing, improved wages, and benefits that will help recruit and retain nurses.
Jenna Kuhns, RN, said: “We’ve been fighting for months and are proud to say our hard work finally paid off. We won improvements that will make this hospital better for nurses and better for the broader community. As a Level 1 Trauma center, it’s vital that Northwell/South Shore is able to provide the best care possible. We believe that this investment in nurses will help the hospital do that.”
NYSNA nurses at Northwell/Huntington Hospital and Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital are also in active bargaining on Long Island. Over 2,500 NYSNA nurses at the three Long Island hospitals are united for quality care for all Long Island patients.
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The New York State Nurses Association represents more than 42,000 members in New York State. We are New York’s largest union and professional association for registered nurses. NYSNA is an affiliate of National Nurses United, AFL-CIO, the country's largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses, with more than 225,000 members nationwide.