Registered nurses at Enloe Medical Center in Chico have reached a tentative contract agreement with the hospital that they say will provide more time for nurses who provide bedside care to address patient care concerns, as well as economic gains that promote the retention of experienced nurses.

At a time some hospitals are demanding reductions in nurses’ workplace and economic standards and patient care protections, the agreement retains the protections Enloe RNs have won over a number of years.

The California Nurses Association/National Nurses United represents 860 RNs at Enloe who must still be approve the settlement. Membership meetings will be held February 17 where the RNs will vote on whether to ratify the agreement.

“We've got a contract that leaves us stronger than we've ever been, thanks to our members making themselves heard,” says Elijah Dixon, RN, who has worked in Enloe’s emergency room for 18 years. “The obvious support from our members at work and on social media made it very clear nurses would not accept sub-standard contract provisions.”

Contract highlights include:

More paid time for Professional Performance Committee to address patient care issues. This committee of nurses meets with management to advocate for patients, such as safe staffing and other patient care issues.

Improved wages. A 1.5 percent bonus for all RNs upon ratification of the agreement, additional across the board increases of 3.75 percent over the next two years, and additional increases for the most long term RNs and those who work night shifts which nurses say will help the hospital retain experienced nurses for Chico area residents.

New successor protections. In the event of an ownership change, contract provisions will stay intact, ensuring RN retention and continuity of care to the community.

Nurses say solidarity was key in negotiating a contract that best supports their ability to care for patients.

“The process of negotiations raised the awareness of nurses about the importance of being involved in their union,” says Enloe RN Pamela Stowe, a 13-year veteran at the hospital. “The solidarity of the nurses resulted in a fair and reasonable contract.”

The agreement runs through January, 2018.