St. Charles Campus Nurses Ratify Three-Year Contract, Averting Strike

Nurses at Good Samaritan University Hospital's St. Charles Campus voted overwhelmingly Friday to ratify a new three-year labor contract, heading off a strike that had been scheduled to begin Monday.

The New York State Nursing Association's collective bargaining unit at the Port Jefferson hospital closed voting at 7 p.m., with 91 percent of members approving the agreement. Union officials said negotiations with hospital management produced a tentative deal late Wednesday night and into early Thursday morning.

Key provisions of the contract include improved enforceable safe staffing standards — among them the hiring of additional nurses and the creation of a float pool to maintain coverage — along with a new expedited staffing enforcement process. The agreement also adds new workplace violence protections, including enhanced security rounding and personal panic buttons for staff.

The contract contains annual base wage increases of 4 percent, 3 percent, and 4 percent over its three-year term, as well as additional wage increases aimed at recruiting, training, and retaining experienced nurses. Retiree health benefits will also increase. New protections against discipline for use of sick time are included, along with safeguards on the use of artificial intelligence, requiring notice and discussion before new technology is implemented.

Rob Barone, president of the union's local bargaining unit and an intensive care nurse, called the outcome a victory for patient safety as well as staff. "This vote shows that nurses are excited about what we were able to achieve and committed to move forward to make St. Charles an incredible resource for this community — now and into the future," he said.

In a statement, hospital management said the ratified contract "reflects our shared commitment to investing in our nurses, supporting the exceptional care they provide, and continuing to deliver excellent patient care." Management added: "We believe this agreement is fair to both parties and positions us well for the future."

More than 99 percent of nurses had previously voted to authorize a strike. In May, nurses filed 244 unresolved staffing complaints — the most recorded in any single month during the 18 months the state has been investigating conditions at the hospital.