Salinas Valley Health Nurses get a new contract with 20-percent pay increases through 2028.

This fall, registered nurses of the California Nurses Association at Salinas Valley Health were on a campaign to win a new strong contract in bargaining negotiations, including an informational picket in October and culminating on Dec. 9 with a pledge to strike.

The campaign worked: The nearly 730 nurses have a contract in hand that gives them "precedent-setting" 20 percent across-the-board pay increases over the next four years, along with first-ever health and safety/prevention of workplace violence provisions and other protections, according to the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United.

"Thanks to the solidarity and collective strength of our frontline RNs, we were able to win a strong contract that not only sets the standard for our facility, but also for other union and non-union hospitals across the Central Coast," said Tracy Chavez, a SVH intensive care RN and a CNA nurse negotiator, in a press release.

The contract was ratified by the nurses on Tuesday, Dec. 17, followed by unanimous approval by the SVH Board of Directors on Thursday, Dec. 19.

“The agreement with CNA demonstrates our shared commitment to quality care and recognizes the skill, dedication and compassion our nurses provide patients and their families every day," said SVH Chief Nursing Officer Carla A. Spencer, in a written statement.

Other highlights of the contract include: new protections that ensure dedicated RN break relief across the facility; meal and rest break language in accordance with state law; enhanced RN floating and cancellation protections that improve patient care and nursing practice standards; strengthen AI and technology protections of nursing judgement and expertise.

The contract ends March 14, 2028.