Following a Dec. 8 “Code Blue” call for concern, nurses and nurse practitioners at Cabell Huntington Hospital (CHH) have reached a three-year collective bargaining agreement.
The new registered nurse contract agreement replaces a three-year contract which was in effect from Jan. 15, 2021 through Jan. 15, 2024.
There are 1,000 registered nurses at Cabell Huntington Hospital, according to Joyce Gibson the treasurer and secretary of the 1199 chapter of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) that represents the nurses.
“This agreement will reward the hard work our registered nurse members do, and
it shows that negotiations conducted in good faith can lead to a contract that is
beneficial to workers, the hospital, and the community,” Gibson said. “By standing together, our members were able to secure wage increases and health insurance benefits in all three years of the contract and preserve quality care and services for our patients and visitors.”
According to a press release, members of CHH leadership and SEIU 1199 negotiating committees joined together in good-faith negotiations for three days this week to finalize a contract that is beneficial for all involved.
“The health care environment has undergone significant changes in recent years,” Tim Martin, Chief Operating Officer, CHH said. “To best build transparency and collaboration, we listened carefully to learn what truly mattered to the negotiating committee and our nurses, then focused on meeting those needs and enhancing our position as an employer of choice in the region. By doing that, we were able to find common ground and reach a mutually
beneficial agreement. I commend all members of the negotiation teams for their professionalism and commitment to the process.”
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.