St. Luke's Hospital Nurses Achieve New Contract to Enhance Care and Staffing Conditions

Enhanced Staffing and Pay for Nurses at St. Luke's Hospital

In an important development for healthcare in Southeastern Massachusetts, the registered nurses at St. Luke's Hospital have successfully voted to ratify a new three-year contract with Southcoast Health. The deal, which signals a commitment to improving patient care and nurse staffing conditions, was overwhelmingly supported by the nursing staff represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA).

A Focus on Patient Care and Nurse Retention

The newly ratified contract comes after months of negotiations aimed specifically at addressing pressing issues surrounding safe staffing and competitive wages. As a regional Level II Trauma Center, St. Luke's plays a crucial role in ensuring the health and well-being of its community. With the new agreement, the hospital is investing in both its nursing workforce and the quality of care that they provide to patients.

Kim Beaulieu, an RN and Co-Chair of the St. Luke's MNA Bargaining Committee, expressed how significant this contract is for all parties involved. "This contract is a meaningful victory for our nurses, our patients, and our community. Our triumph is a direct result of collective action among nurses, ensuring that we can improve conditions in our hospital and deliver the high-quality care that patients deserve."

The contract outlines various measures aimed at enhancing both recruitment and retention of nursing staff, which have been ongoing challenges in the healthcare industry. By offering competitive pay and improving work conditions, St. Luke's aims to attract and maintain a skilled nursing workforce.

Key Features of the New Agreement

Among the important features of the new contract are enforceable staffing guidelines that build on the existing plan and ensure adequate RN staffing based on the specific hospital units and patient numbers. A joint committee is set to address various topics affecting nursing staff, including but not limited to training, continuity of care, and minimizing mandatory on-call shifts.

In high-acuity units, such as the stepdown and intermediary care unit, limiting RN-patient assignments will become essential to ensure high-quality patient care. The nurses will be better positioned to effectively monitor trauma patients who often have rapidly changing needs, significantly improving recovery outcomes.

Competitive and Fair Wage Adjustments

The wage structure in the new contract introduces a 20-step salary scale, with an impressive 3.25% increase between steps and retroactive adjustments starting from January 2025. The salary for staff nurses will range from $40.74 to $74.81 per hour, with an immediate increase of over $7 per hour at the top of the scale.

Additionally, all nurses will receive a 4% raise in the second and third years of the contract. This pay structure is designed to enhance job satisfaction while also attracting new nurses to join the team at St. Luke's.

As Terri DeMedeiros, another Co-Chair of the MNA Bargaining Committee, stated, "St. Luke's nurses have demonstrated immense unity and dedication throughout this process. We take pride in improving care for our community of New Bedford and the wider Southcoast region."

Community Engagement and Support

The overwhelming support from the nursing staff was bolstered by a sustained campaign that engaged hospital employees at every turn. This included open bargaining sessions and petitions to hospital management that garnered signatures from over 600 nurses. A well-attended picket in September garnered support from various community members and local officials, showcasing the strength of the nurses' negotiation efforts.

This contract not only recognizes the contributions of the nursing staff at St. Luke's but also reflects the broader commitment to enhancing patient care experiences in healthcare settings across Massachusetts. As noted by Beaulieu, "This contract respects the vital role we play in delivering compassionate care every day. We are looking forward to building on this progress and holding Southcoast accountable for the improvements we are committed to achieving."

The agreement marks a pivotal development in the nursing landscape at St. Luke's Hospital, reinforcing the importance of both adequate staffing and fair wages while ensuring the continued delivery of quality healthcare services to the community.