RNs and health care workers ratified a four-year contact with strong measures to improve patient safety and staff retention.

Health care workers at San Gabriel Valley Medical Center in San Gabriel, California, and Whittier Hospital Medical Center in Whittier, California, voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying a new four-year contract on October 29 and 30, winning protections to improve patient safety and staff retention, announced California Nurses Association/Caregivers and Healthcare Employees Union (CNA/CHEU).

“This new contract allows our nurses to maintain quality and continuity of care for our patients,” said Veronica Rocha, RN in the wound care unit and member of CNA’s bargaining team San Gabriel Valley Medical Center. “We deserve this. Our collective voice and advocacy for safe and healthy working conditions helps us serve our patients and community.”

“This contract makes it possible to recruit and retain experienced health care workers,” said Mary Biter, LVN in the sub-acute unit, and member of the CHEU bargaining team at San Gabriel Valley Medical Center. “It guarantees better working conditions and stronger protections for us all. I’m confident that with all these improvements, staff will see a long future at San Gabriel Valley Medical Center serving patients and their families.”

Highlights of the contract include:

• Improvements to health and safety.
• Increased protection against subcontracting practices.
• No contract takeaways.
• A competitive package to recruit and retain experienced nurses and hospital workers.

The new pact covers the period October 23, 2024 to June 30, 2028.

“The biggest win on our contract is being able to voice our nurses’ concerns and address issues with working conditions and the safety of our patients,” said Olivia Mendez, RN in the direct observation unit and CNA bargaining team member at Whittier Hospital Medical Center. “The improvements made help nurses continue to advocate for nurse and patient safety.”

CNA represents more than 380 nurses at San Gabriel Valley Medical Center and more than 285 nurses at Whittier Hospital Medical Center. CHEU represents more than 330 health care workers at San Gabriel Valley Medical Center.

Caregivers and Healthcare Employees Union (CHEU) is an affiliate of California Nurses Association. California Nurses Association has more than 100,000 members in more than 200 facilities throughout California.