Nurses represented by Health Professionals and Allied Employees Local 5105 have ratified a new three-year labor agreement with Virtua Mount Holly (N.J.) Hospital.
The union represents nearly 850 nurses at the 383-bed facility, according to a union news release shared with Becker’s. Virtua Mount Holly is part of Marlton, N.J.-based Virtua Health, a nonprofit health system with about 16,000 employees.
Union members have been bargaining with management for about two months.
The ratification vote was 578-75, with nearly 89% of voting members supporting the agreement, according to HPAE.
The new contract includes enforceable nurse-to-patient staffing ratios that take effect Jan. 3, 2027, wage increases averaging about 16.5% through June 2028 and enhanced workplace safety and security measures, the union said. The agreement also includes an expedited arbitration process related to staffing concerns, according to HPAE.
The parties reached a tentative agreement June 12 after union members previously authorized a strike and later paused a planned unfair labor practice walkout amid progress in negotiations.
“We won this strong enforceable staffing language because our members were engaged and ready to fight for what is best for patients,” HPAE Local 5105 President Sheryl Mount, RN, said in the union release. “We know that safe staffing at Virtua Memorial will benefit the patients we care for in Burlington County.”
In a statement shared with Becker’s, Chrisie Scott, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Virtua Health, said nurses represented by HPAE voted to ratify the agreement after the parties reached a tentative deal June 12.
“The new labor agreement will enable Virtua Mount Holly to continue delivering safe, high-quality care for our patients, while providing wage increases, enhanced safety measures, and updated staffing levels for our nurses,” Ms. Scott said. “We look forward to moving ahead together in support of our nurses, our patients, and the community we serve.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated June 20.
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