Dear Members,

We understand the concerns many of you voiced during the recent ratification vote on Tuesday, 2/18/2026. Your voices about financial and insurance anxieties, staffing frustrations, and unsafe working conditions are heard and respected. The initial rejection of the employer’s offer reflected these deep concerns.

However, amidst a very tight timeframe and the looming ULP strike, your bargaining committee acted swiftly. Late Tuesday evening, the hospital agreed to return to bargaining, and after an intensive 14-hour negotiation session on Wednesday, 2/18/2026, a tentative agreement was reached. This milestone was achieved through the dedicated efforts of our  attorney, mediators, and negotiators working tirelessly to prioritize our members’ best interests. 

WHAT THIS TA SECURES:

• (ART 5):  
  • Holds the Hospital accountable to staff per the Staffing Matrix, prevents  the Hospital from intentionally understaffing for monetary savings by providing penalty pay to RNs if the contract and staffing numbers are not followed and achieved;
  • Keeps the protections that the Hospital threatened to take away;
• APPENDIX D:  
  • Staffing Matrix Levels:  The intent of our Staffing Matrix has always been with a support staff in place. Now the Hospital is expecting RNs to do the job of 3 people without that support! Knowing that we can’t negotiate for ancillary help has been our ultimate challenge.
  • The improvements in this TA (Tentative Agreement) brings in new language supporting staffing concerns by providing NEW specific nurse to patient ratios, replaces unbalanced census ranges, provides the same N/P numbers for all shifts around the clock, ultimately reducing assignment overloads; 
  • Further supports staffing protections:  One patient over matrix will trigger measures to get more staff and if not achieved,will add penalty pay for RNs who worked short. 
  • New ED language now addresses staffing needs for higher acuity  ICU holds; NEW listed criteria holds Hospital accountable when considering ED RN staff reductions for lower census in a consistently unpredictable area; When an ED RN is assigned CN, they will not to be counted as part of the Matrix;
  • In all units Charge Nurses may get a lesser assignment with the added CN responsibilities
  • ICU 1:1 Patients NEW listed supportive criteria; ICU CN/House SWAT RN may take limited assignment only in staffing shortages 
• (ART 18) WAGES/BENEFITS: 
  • Offers one of the highest Market Wage Increases for the next 2 years of 4%, 4%; 
  • Improves the current shift/weekend/CN/preceptor premiums,
  • Keeps pulling/crosstraining/voluntary rotation incentives
  • Keeps the current pre-approved vacation language;
  • Clarifies FT/PT PTO vacation definition requirements;
  • Provides affordable Healthcare/Dental and Vision benefits
• (ART 11) SCHEDULING/OVERTIME:  
  • New concepts of now offering early OT opportunities will fill shift needs for all FT/PT/Contingent RN Levels, reducing the need for later emergent needs, and will ultimately provide monies to apply to securing safer staffing levels on all units;
  • Daily OT for hours beyond one’s regularly scheduled shift is retained in current contract;
  • New timelines will provide a process to a fair bidding on open shifts with manager deadlines to award extra shifts,  before the start of a new schedule; 
• ARTICLE 19:  PENSION:  
  • Continues to offer a 403b pension contribution fund with a baseline 2% employer contribution along with voluntary match of 50% of up to 6% contribution per month, maximizing a potential 11% contribution;

Important Next Steps & Voting Details:

• February 21, 2026 ULP Strike Notice has been withdrawn
  • Strike Authorization Vote:  The current strike authorization vote expires on 2/28/2026. A re-vote will be required for strike authorization if the membership proceeds to that step, as mandated in our bylaws.
  • Dues & Financials: If you've already paid February dues, or if there are arrears deductions, rest assured, all dues deductions will resume upon ratification. Clarification on the dues process in the coming week will be sent out from our Treasurer.

Special Meetings: Members will be able to view proposals & speak with our bargaining team

•     Wednesday, 2/25/26 (Zoom only): 
  • 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM 
  • 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
•     Thursday, 2/26/26: In-person, MM Classrooms 1 & 2 
  • 6:00 AM – 8:30 AM 
  • 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
•      Thursday, 2/26/26: ZOOM only
  • 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Upcoming Vote Schedule:

• Digital Vote for Ratification:
  • Members in good standing (with dues current) can vote online from Thursday, 2/26/26 at 4:00 PM to Friday, 2/27/26 at 4:00 PM.

We appreciate your resilience and solidarity during this challenging period. This Tentative Agreement (TA) is a step forward, but your participation in the upcoming vote is crucial to secure your future wages, benefits, working conditions, protections and patient safety.

Thank you for standing together

In Solidarity,

Your Bargaining Team