Mercy Medical Center Nurses Celebrate New Contract for Enhanced Patient Care and RN Benefits
In Springfield, Massachusetts, registered nurses at Mercy Medical Center have taken a monumental step forward in healthcare by ratifying a new three-year contract with their employer, Trinity Health. Represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), nurses voted decisively on July 1, 2025, to approve the agreement that follows nearly ten months of intense negotiations, highlighting their dedication to both patient care and their own working conditions.
The new contract brings significant improvements aimed at strengthening both patient care and the nurses' working environment, while protecting the benefits that they have fought hard to secure over the years. The approval follows 25 negotiation sessions, during which the nurses stood firm against proposed cuts to vital benefits, including a longstanding 3% core retirement contribution and changes that could undermine their union rights. With this contract, the nurses not only secured their benefits but also emphasized the hospital's commitment to investing in its staff, thereby enhancing the quality of care delivered to patients.
As Jaime Hyatt, RN and Co-Chair of the MNA Bargaining Committee, stated, "This contract is a victory for every nurse who stood firm for safe staffing, fair wages, and the respect we deserve." The nurses managed to avert cuts that would have adversely affected their retirement and challenged dangerous staffing conditions that could compromise patient safety. One alarming statistic brought to light during negotiations was the reported 6,000 missed meal breaks over just ten months due to understaffing, alongside violations of staffing laws in the Intensive Care Unit that put patients at risk.
The newly ratified contract, effective immediately until 2028, includes a comprehensive wage increase plan: a 5% raise in the first year, followed by 3.25% increases in the second and third years. The redesigned wage scale further shortens the time to reach the top step from 35 years to 21 years, with the number of wage steps increased from 15 to 18. By the contract's end, top pay for registered nurses will rise from $61.12 to $71.49. The agreement also includes longevity bonuses of $2,000 for nurses serving 30 years and $3,000 for those at 35 years.
Dee Doyle, RN and Co-Chair of the MNA Bargaining Committee, expressed that the agreement serves as a clear message about the importance of investing in nurses and the future of Mercy Medical Center. "Trinity tried to push us backward, but together we moved forward – for our profession, our patients, and our community," she said.
The impact of nursing professionals on patient care is an essential matter that extends beyond the walls of Mercy Medical Center. Nurses are champions of safety, dignity, and the integrity of care in communities. Their resilience during the contract negotiations underscores the vital role nurses play in advocating not only for their rights but also for the wellbeing of their patients. As Jaime Hyatt emphasizes, "This contract is about safety, dignity, and the power of nurses to defend quality care in our communities."
The Massachusetts Nurses Association, founded in 1903, represents the largest union of registered nurses in Massachusetts, boasting over 25,000 members. By fostering high standards in nursing practice and lobbying for healthcare issues impacting nurses and the public, they continue to build a secure future for the nursing profession.
For more information about the Massachusetts Nurses Association and ongoing efforts to advocate for healthcare improvements, visit MassNurses.org.
The new contract brings significant improvements aimed at strengthening both patient care and the nurses' working environment, while protecting the benefits that they have fought hard to secure over the years. The approval follows 25 negotiation sessions, during which the nurses stood firm against proposed cuts to vital benefits, including a longstanding 3% core retirement contribution and changes that could undermine their union rights. With this contract, the nurses not only secured their benefits but also emphasized the hospital's commitment to investing in its staff, thereby enhancing the quality of care delivered to patients.
As Jaime Hyatt, RN and Co-Chair of the MNA Bargaining Committee, stated, "This contract is a victory for every nurse who stood firm for safe staffing, fair wages, and the respect we deserve." The nurses managed to avert cuts that would have adversely affected their retirement and challenged dangerous staffing conditions that could compromise patient safety. One alarming statistic brought to light during negotiations was the reported 6,000 missed meal breaks over just ten months due to understaffing, alongside violations of staffing laws in the Intensive Care Unit that put patients at risk.
The newly ratified contract, effective immediately until 2028, includes a comprehensive wage increase plan: a 5% raise in the first year, followed by 3.25% increases in the second and third years. The redesigned wage scale further shortens the time to reach the top step from 35 years to 21 years, with the number of wage steps increased from 15 to 18. By the contract's end, top pay for registered nurses will rise from $61.12 to $71.49. The agreement also includes longevity bonuses of $2,000 for nurses serving 30 years and $3,000 for those at 35 years.
Dee Doyle, RN and Co-Chair of the MNA Bargaining Committee, expressed that the agreement serves as a clear message about the importance of investing in nurses and the future of Mercy Medical Center. "Trinity tried to push us backward, but together we moved forward – for our profession, our patients, and our community," she said.
The impact of nursing professionals on patient care is an essential matter that extends beyond the walls of Mercy Medical Center. Nurses are champions of safety, dignity, and the integrity of care in communities. Their resilience during the contract negotiations underscores the vital role nurses play in advocating not only for their rights but also for the wellbeing of their patients. As Jaime Hyatt emphasizes, "This contract is about safety, dignity, and the power of nurses to defend quality care in our communities."
The Massachusetts Nurses Association, founded in 1903, represents the largest union of registered nurses in Massachusetts, boasting over 25,000 members. By fostering high standards in nursing practice and lobbying for healthcare issues impacting nurses and the public, they continue to build a secure future for the nursing profession.
For more information about the Massachusetts Nurses Association and ongoing efforts to advocate for healthcare improvements, visit MassNurses.org.
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