Nurses from Stanford and Lucile Packard Children’s hospitals who went on strike last week are set to return to work Tuesday after their union reached a tentative agreement on Friday with Stanford Health Care.The agreement, if ratified Sunday, will put an end to the nearly week-long strike that union members had overwhelmingly approved as they negotiated for raises, increased benefits and workplace improvements. Nurses said low pay and burnout have contributed to high turnover among some specialty nurse groups.
The agreement, if ratified Sunday, will put an end to the nearly week-long strike that union members had overwhelmingly approved as they negotiated for raises, increased benefits and workplace improvements. Nurses said low pay and burnout have contributed to high turnover among some specialty nurse groups.
Among their demands were higher nurse-to-patient ratios for “safe staffing” levels, as well as access to mental health counseling and student loan reimbursements.
“From day one of our contract negotiations, CRONA nurses have been unified in our goals of improving staffing and making our profession more sustainable,” said Colleen Borges, a nurse at Packard hospital and president of the Committee for Recognition of Nursing Achievement, or CRONA, the union that represents roughly 5,000 Stanford nurses.
“We stood strong behind our demands for fair contracts that give us the resources and support we need to take care of ourselves, our families and our patients. We are proud to provide world-class patient care — and are glad the hospitals have finally listened to us,” Borges said in a statement.
Stanford Health Care and CRONA tentatively agreed to a three-year contract that includes a 7% raise this year and a 5% increase in each of the next two years. The agreement includes provisions that would require staffing levels to be based on the amount of care needed by patients and would guarantee that nurses charged with caring for acute patients are able to take breaks for meals and rest. Some of those nurses will receive additional pay, CRONA said in a statement.
The tentative deal also contains assurances of improved access to mental health treatment, an additional week of vacation, improved retiree medical benefits and student loan assistance. Stanford agreed to create a new response team for incidents of workplace violence, according to the union.
Stanford officials had said that without a settlement, the striking nurses’ benefits and pay would be withheld starting Sunday.
In a statement Saturday, Dale E. Betty, chief nurse executive and vice president of patient care services for Stanford Health Care, and Jesus Cepero, senior vice president of patient care and chief nursing officer for Stanford Children’s Health, said they were “extremely pleased” that a tentative deal had been reached. “Pending ratification, we truly look forward to welcoming our colleagues back on Tuesday.”
The hospitals remained open during the week as nurses picketed outside, but Stanford officials said they had to cut or postpone certain medial procedures, including surgeries and chemotherapy amid the labor negotiations.
“CRONA nurses know our worth,” Borges said in a statement. “This contract recognizes our sacrifices and our contributions. CRONA’s negotiating team is proud to bring this contract forward to our fellow nurses for a vote. To all the patients, community members, and elected officials who stood with us on the picket line, we are grateful for your support.”