Northwell Health, nurses at South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore reach tentative contract

The union representing more than 900 nurses at South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore has reached a tentative agreement, averting a possible Monday strike.

The New York State Nurses Association said the union agreed to contract terms with Northwell Health on Tuesday. The nurses are set to vote on the contract on Thursday, the union said.

The new proposed three-year contract includes pay increases between $18,000 and $20,000 during the contract, with annual raises and contributions to pensions and retirement health care. Union officials said the deal would pay nurses "on par with other Long Island nurse wages."

"We advocated for safer staffing levels, improved working conditions and fair wages to ensure that we can continue to deliver the high standard of care our patients deserve," local union president JoAnne DeAntonio said in a statement announcing the deal. "After months of fighting, we achieved what we set out to win. We’re glad that our voices were heard because we are not just fighting for ourselves; we are fighting for our patients, for our families, and for the future of health care in our region."

Northwell Health officials also announced the agreement at the hospital in Bay Shore.

"From the start of negotiations, our goal has been to reach a fair contract that supports our valued nurses and upholds the high standard of care our patients and community trust," Northwell, the largest private-sector employer in New York State, said in a statement. "This agreement reaffirms our commitment enabling a supportive work environment and provides our nurses with competitive compensation and benefits."

The nursing union had voted almost unanimously on Feb. 26 to go on strike, citing unfair labor practices. The union asked Northwell for a new contract, including a pay increase, staffing levels and benefits to recruit and keep nurses on staff.

The nursing union said the contract set new safe staffing standards and enforcement. The contract will fill depleted staffing in units at the hospital, including the emergency room and labor and delivery, according to the union.

The union said it is the first nursing contract in the state that allows nurses to have input on any artificial intelligence that could affect their jobs.

"We’ve been fighting for months and are proud to say our hard work finally paid off," one of the nurses, Jenna Kuhns, said in a statement. "We won improvements that will make this hospital better for nurses and better for the broader community. As a Level 1 Trauma center, it’s vital that Northwell/South Shore is able to provide the best care possible. We believe that this investment in nurses will help the hospital do that."

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.