FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2024
Salem Regional Medical Center Nurses Ratify
New Contract with the Hospital
Nurses voted on ratification of the contract on April 20 and 21
Salem, Ohio –– Nurses at Salem Regional Medical Center, represented by the Ohio Nurses Association (ONA) and AFT, successfully negotiated a contract with Salem Regional Medical Center executives that was ratified by the ONA local unit members on April 20 and 21, averting a strike that was scheduled to begin April 22.
The newly ratified agreement, approved by a majority vote of the nurses, includes several key provisions that support safe, sustainable patient care:
- A commitment from the hospital to collaborate with the ONA local nurses to address staffing levels and guidelines across all patient care units.
- Improvements to the wage scale to bring nurses’ pay closer to the market to attract and retain skilled nurses and resolves internal inequities by paying all nurses based on their years of experience as registered nurses.
- Maintenance or enhancement of important working conditions related to leave time and work-life balance, reflecting the union’s emphasis on promoting a healthy work-life balance among nurses.
- Preservation of a final and binding arbitration victory achieved by the union in 2023, protecting nurses from involuntary transfers and other changes in working conditions, recognizing the crucial role of the nurses’ autonomy and stable working conditions in ensuring patient safety.
“Nurses solidarity and the overwhelming support we received from the community forced hospital executives to address our demands for patient and nurse safety at the bargaining table,” said Sara Harkleroad, President of the Salem Registered Nurses Association and Oncology nurse at Salem Regional Medical Center. “Though we didn’t get minimum staffing standards included in this contract, we will continue to push hospital executives to make this a mandate so the safety of patients, nurses, and all of the hospital’s health professionals is a top priority and requirement.”
Introduced in September 2023 by Ohio Representatives Haraz N. Ghanbari and Elgin Rogers, Jr., House Bill 285, the Nurse Workforce and Safe Patient Care Act, aims to bolster support for nurses and prioritize patient safety. The bill includes legally enforceable minimum nurse-to-patient staffing standards, whistleblower protection, and a loan-to-grant program to strengthen the nursing workforce.
“Through determination and unification, Salem nurses sent a loud and clear message to Salem Regional Medical Center executives: we will always fight for our patients and ourselves for the sake of safety and better working conditions,” said Rick Lucas, BSN, RN, CCRN, ONA President and Executive Director. “This contract offer is a big step in the right direction but the battle to achieve minimum staffing standards in all of Ohio’s hospitals is far from over. ONA will not back down until House Bill 285 is passed and all Ohio hospitals have legally enforceable safe staffing standards in place!”
With ratification of the contract, the 10-day strike notice has been rescinded and all nurses will be reporting to work for their scheduled shifts.
“We are thankful for the support from community members, Senator Sherrod Brown, and local businessman Raymond Cox, “ said Harkleroad. “Their support helps enforce our need for minimum staffing standards in Ohio’s hospitals.”
The new contract is effective April 21, 2024 – April 20, 2027.
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About ONA
Formed in 1904, the Ohio Nurses Association is a powerful network of nurses and health professionals. Our mission is to unite and empower nurses and health professionals, championing their rights, promoting professional practice, and advocating for quality care for all patients in Ohio, while fostering a strong and cohesive professional union community. To learn more or to become a member of the Ohio Nurses Association, visit www.ohnurses.org.
Contact: Michelle Day
Director of Communications & Technology
mday@ohnurses.org