Registered nurses at San Leandro Hospital voted unanimously to ratify a new contract, the California Nurses Association announced today. 

“Our nurses are so proud to have stood strong and made our voices heard throughout the negotiating process,” said Lisa LaFave, RN. “This agreement extends safe patient care standards, and strengthens our ability to recruit and retain well-trained nurses. Having voted to approve it, we really feel that it’s a great day for our patients and the health of our community.”

The new pact covers 200 registered nurses at San Leandro Hospital, part of the Alameda Health System.



Contract highlights include:  

Economic gains for improved recruitment and retention: A 16 percent across the board wage increase over the next two years helps the hospital recruit and retain the most experienced nurses for the community.



Improved educational opportunities: With enhancement to reimbursements for required courses and new language allowing RNs to complete some continuing education from home, nurses say this contract will ensure patients have access to nurses with the most up-to-date training.

Safe staffing protections: The contract maintains existing safe staffing protections, say nurses, and empowers nurse committees to take on any future staffing issues, to the benefit of safe patient care.

Nurse solidarity was key to defeat takeaways. Nurses fought hard to defeat proposed takeaways to healthcare and benefits, an aspect of the new pact that also helps with RN recruitment and retention, say nurses. 

“We are thrilled to have stood in such strong solidarity to approve this new agreement,” said Vicki Mendoza-Reid, RN. “As nurses, we always put our patients first, and it’s a good feeling to know that the contract is in place to support our ability to provide safe, effective patient care.”

The new contract will run through December 31, 2018.