Registered nurses at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister, Calif., have ratified a new four-year contract, California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU) announced today. The new collective bargaining agreement, which was ratified on July 27 with 99 percent of RNs’ support, includes victories for patients and nurses. The board of directors of Hazel Hawkins voted unanimously to approve the new contract at their July 28 board meeting.

“Winning a strong contract means improvements for nursing staff that helps ensure nurses who work here and live here can stay in Hollister,” said Sonia Duran, RN, and a member of the bargaining team. “As the only acute care facility in San Benito County, investing in retention and recruitment of nursing staff is crucial to continue to provide quality healthcare for our community.”

Highlights of the contract include:

• Health and Safety: Creation of an Infectious Disease Task Force, with RN representation, that will meet to discuss mitigation plans in the event of an infectious disease outbreak, epidemic, or pandemic that impacts the facility.
• Workplace Violence Prevention: Creation of a Workplace Violence Prevention Committee with two RN representatives with the purpose of addressing workplace violence concerns and updating current policies in accordance with SB1299, California’s Workplace Violence Prevention Act.
• Juneteenth and Martin Luther King Day recognized as federal holidays: The new contract will see Juneteenth, a federal holiday marking the emancipation of enslaved African Americans as well as Martin Luther King Jr. Day honoring the civil rights leader and movement.
• Expansion of Non-discrimination Language: Expansion of protected categories and inclusion of language to protect any RN who reports or witnesses acts of discrimination.
• Economic gains to help recruit and retain experienced nurses: 12.5 percent across-the-board wage increases, beginning with 3.5 percent in the first year of the new agreement. Other economic highlights include: gains in shift differentials, standby pay, charge nurse pay, creation of Staff Nurse IV position.

“As we dive into year three of the pandemic, nurses have been advocating for better protections and protocols to keep us and our patients safe,” said Courtney Parrinello, RN. “I am excited about our new contract, which will create avenues for us to continue to help mitigate infectious disease outbreaks in our facility and push for safe patient care. None of this would have happened without RNs taking collective action as a union.”

The California Nurses Association/National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the nation with 100,000 members in more than 200 facilities throughout California and more than 175,000 RNs nationwide.