Nurses Ratify New Contract at Saint Louis University Hospital
After a year of arduous negotiations and two strikes, nurses at Saint Louis University (SLU) Hospital have overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new three-year contract with SSM Health, the hospital’s parent company. This development marks the end of a labor dispute that saw nurses take to the picket lines to push for better working conditions, competitive wages, and safer nurse-to-patient ratios.
The successful ratification of the new contract was a significant victory for the nurses, who demonstrated their collective bargaining power through strikes and perseverance at the negotiating table. The contract likely addresses many of the key issues, including nurse-to-patient ratios, wages, and working conditions.
The negotiations between the nurses’ union and SSM Health took over one year. The nurses held two strikes, one in May 2022 and another in October 2022, to pressure the hospital management into addressing their concerns.
The strikes were a testament to the nurses’ determination and solidarity.
According to NNU, the contract is from July 27, 2024, to July 27, 2027, and key highlights include,
- Safe staffing provisions, with an RN-elected subcommittee to review policies and staffing plans, requiring responses from the chief nursing officer
- Health and safety measures addressing workplace violence reporting and PPE standards
- No contract takeaways
- Economic gains and health benefits, including an average wage increase of 17% (up to 40%) and retention of the current health insurance plan.
The successful resolution of the labor dispute is a testament to the power of nurse collective bargaining.
