Rhode Island Hospital Nurses Union Members Ratify Contract Extension

Rhode Island Hospital Nurses Union Members Ratify Contract Extension

Members of the UNAP Local 5098, representing nurses and health professionals at Rhode Island Hospital, voted Wednesday to approve an extension of their current contract through March 31, 2025.

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement that provides our members with better job security, wage increases, a lump-sum bonus payment, a cost of living adjustment, better dental benefits, student debt relief, and an increased tuition assistance program,” stated Local 5098 President Frank Sims R.N. “Over the last few years, as a result of the pandemic and a nationwide nursing and healthcare worker shortage, our members have been underpaid for the amount of work we’ve performed and we believe this agreement gets us back in line with market rates. It is fair for both sides, and we hope the extension will help retain and attract qualified nurses and healthcare professionals,"

Sims added, "While we are pleased with the result of this vote, we also understand that with a potential merger on the horizon, negotiations are not over. There’s still a lot of work to be done to ensure the hard-working nurses and health professionals we represent are protected and treated fairly in the event of a successful merger. We look forward to continuing those discussions with hospital management.”

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