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8 N A T I O N A L N U R S E W W W . N A T I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G A P R I L | M AY | J U N E 2 0 2 0 WRAP-UP REPORT California MARINHEALTH registered nurses at MarinHealth Med- ical Center in Greenbrae overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year contract covering 550 nurses in February, ending a bargaining process that started June 2019 and included an informational picket. "We now have improvements in this new contract to better protect our patients and staff," said Lynn Warner, RN, who has worked at Marin- Health since 2007 and is the chief nurse representative. "That's why we fought for and won a new agreement that includes such important protections for RNs and patients, from safe staffing to economic gains, that help us recruit and retain the most experi- enced nurses for MarinHealth." Highlights of the contract include provi- sions to achieve safe nurse staffing, such as meal and break period protections; work- place safety and security language; and economic gains and health benefit protec- tions to help retain and recruit experienced nurses. The new contract includes a 10.5 per- cent increase over the term of the contract. "It's so important to retain experienced nurses, especially after we spend years men- toring them," said Kathleen Sickert, RN, who has worked in the emergency department for 15 years and is a member of the bargaining team. "We want to provide the best care for our patients so nurses were united about preserving our health benefits so that we can continue to care for our community. STANFORD VALLEYCARE stanford valleycare registered nurses in late April voted by an overwhelming majority to ratify their first contract with the California Nurses Association. Nurses say the contract brings ValleyCare RNs up to par with sur- rounding Bay Area hospitals on working conditions, and codifies important staffing and patient care guidelines. "We are proud that this contract will provide better patient care by giving nurses a voice in staffing," said urgent care registered nurse Lou Puspoki. Nurses emphasize that a strong contract to ensure that nurses have a say in patient care conditions is especially critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. "This contract is a big win for nurses and for our patients, who need us more than ever right now," said Puspoki. Maine registered nurses at Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital in February approved a new three-year contract that will help them improve patient care and recruit and retain qualified, experienced nurses. The new agreement includes language that strength- ens the professional practice committee (PPC) and allows for the PPC to review emergency department metrics for safe and adequate staffing. In addition, nurses were able to maintain insurance benefits, pre- mium pay, and grandfather in paid time off. Most RNs will see an 8.5 percent wage increase over the term of the contract. —Staff report From left clockwise: MarinHealth nurses win hard-fought contract; Stanford ValleyCare nurses excited to start building gains after winning their first contract; Northern Light Maine Coast nurses secure new contract. NEWS BRIEFS