Salinas Valley Health nurses celebrate milestone with new 4-year contract
SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- The California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU) announced Wednesday that registered at the Salinas Valley Health Medical Center have voted overwhelmingly for ratifying a new four-year contract at the hospital.
“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,” said Tracy Chavez, an RN in the intensive care unit and a CNA nurse negotiator.
According to the CNA, this new contract is an effort to ensure nurse retention and recruitment, enhance patient care and nursing practice, as well as to add new provisions for health and safety, prevention of workplace violence, and dedicated break relief protections.
They said that the highlights of the new contract will include the topics aforementioned, in addition to enhanced meal and rest break language, strengthened A.I. and technology protections and a 20% pay increase "across the board" over the next four years.
Since April 2024, Salinas nurses have been contract negotiations with the hospital, and in October, even held an informational picket. They said that they also presented a strike pledge to the employer on December 9.
The CNA says that the new contract term will end March 14, 2028 and full ratification by the Salinas Valley Health Medical Center Board of Directors is scheduled for Thursday.
