Hospital workers have reached a tentative labor agreement with Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island in Providence.
The nearly three-year contract includes salary increases and preserves the union's pension, according to a Dec. 4 news release from the hospital.
As part of the agreement, SEIU1199 New England canceled its strike planned for Dec. 12, the release said.
The union's more than 2,000 front-line staff members began contract negotiations in early October, according to an SEIU1199 news release shared with Becker's.
"After bargaining for nearly 17 hours, we are pleased that our Women & Infants union bargaining committee was able to reach a tentative agreement with management that includes industry-leading wages increases and improvements to benefits that will help recruit and retain qualified staff across all departments and units," Nancy Chandley Adams, RN, member of the bargaining committee, said in the union release.
The previous contract expired Nov. 30, according to the union release.
"Women & Infants holds a special place in Rhode Island healthcare and this contract recognizes the talents, skills, and compassion of our team members while ensuring the hospital's sustainability for the community," hospital President Shannon Sullivan said in the Women & Infants release.
Editor's note: This story was updated at 10:31 a.m. on Dec. 5.