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Members of the New York State Nurses Association from Northwell Health voted to ratify the contract on Tuesday, Feb. 20, following an all-night bargaining session two nights before, the union said on Facebook.
The move came weeks after over 700 healthcare workers employed by Northwell Health’s Long Island Jewish Valley Stream facility and Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead overwhelmingly approved a strike authorization.
At the time, union leaders said they wanted to see an improvement in what they described as unsafe staffing levels. They also called for higher pay.
“NYSNA members don't want to strike, but they're ready to do whatever it takes to win a fair contract to safeguard their patients and their profession,” the union previously said on Facebook.
In an update on Monday, Feb. 19, the union said the new deal includes improvements to safe staffing standards, as well as “stronger and expedited” safe staffing enforcement.
Northwell Health also agreed to add more nurse positions in the emergency department holding area, improve pensions, and increase wages.
Reaching the agreement wasn’t easy. A spokesperson for Northwell Health told Daily Voice that the healthcare provider met with union leaders on at least 11 different occasions since negotiations began in October 2023.
“Congratulations, LIJ Valley Stream nurses,” the union said on Facebook. “When we fight, we win!”
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