The Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board of Directors on Dec. 21 approved a three-year contract with its nurses, two weeks after the nurses’ union ratified it.
The approval came after six months of bargaining. Nurses say the contract helps improve patient safety by increasing employee retention and improving working conditions.
“I think what it represents now that it’s all done is the true partnership we have with the nurses,” PVHCD Board President John Friel said. “They’re an integral part of our sustainability and our success going forward and taking care of our patients.”
The California Nurses Association, which represents 250 nurses at the hospital, made the announcement on Dec. 9 that the nurses approved the contract.
The approval will allow the PVHCD to move forward on bringing the hospital’s books back into the black after years of corporate mismanagement.
“It’s great to start the new year with a strong contract that will retain experienced nurses and protect hospital staff and patients from future pandemics,” said registered nurse Roseann Farris, who sat on the bargaining committee. “We’re grateful for all the community support that energized our campaign to improve conditions at the Watsonville Community Hospital.”.
Included in the contract are safeguards against mandatory overtime and protections against outsourcing nursing work. The contract also includes a guarantee that 20% of the nursing positions will be part-time, which were eliminated in July as a cost-saving measure.
Nurses say part-time positions allow greater flexibility in their schedules.
Human resources officer Allyson Hauck said the agreement keeps nurses’ salaries at the top of the market when compared to other area hospitals.
“We came to an agreement that allows for these wage increases to be paid out incrementally, which helps the hospital manage its cash flow,” she said. “Overall, the contract demonstrates
the spirit of collaboration that exists at our hospital.”
The new contract term will end December 2026.
