The agreement, approved by nurses Dec. 17 and by the board Dec. 19, covers nearly 730 nurses at Salinas Valley Health, according to the union.
According to CNA/NNU, the contract includes:
- 20% across-the-board pay increases over the life of the deal, which runs through March 14, 2028.
- Provisions for health and safety and prevention of workplace violence.
- Protections that ensure dedicated nurse break relief across the organization.
- Meal and rest break language in accordance with California law.
- Enhanced nurse floating and cancellation protections.
- Protections to ensure nurses have input on the implementation of new artificial intelligence and technology, as well as safeguards to protect nursing jobs.
“Thanks to the solidarity and collective strength of our frontline RNs, we were able to win a strong contract that not only sets the standard for our facility, but also for other union and non-union hospitals across the Central Coast,” Tracy Chavez, RN, said in a union release.
Salinas Valley Health Chief Nursing Officer Carla Spencer, MSN, RN, shared the following statement with Becker’s:
“The agreement with CNA demonstrates our shared commitment to quality care and recognizes the skill, dedication and compassion our nurses provide patients and their families every day. Salinas Valley Health takes pride in being an outstanding employer and for providing exceptional care to everyone in our community. This contract reflects our dedication to both.”
