After more than two years of public feuding, the University of New Mexico Sandoval Regional Medical Center and members of the United Health Professionals of New Mexico, a union representing nurses at the hospital, ratified a labor contract Saturday night.
Representatives from the union, a division of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) sat down with hospital representatives to resume good-faith bargaining on Sept. 18. Less than a month later, a deal was done, which is the first step in improving patient healing conditions and working conditions at UNM SRMC, according to the union.
“It’s been a long process to get a first contract. We know there is still more work needed for our patients, community and ourselves, and we are looking forward to doing more,†said Samantha Hines, a registered nurse at UNM SRMC.
UNM said the groups met nine times before coming to a collective bargaining agreement.
“I’m pleased the negotiation teams were able to come together at the table and reach an agreement,†UNM Hospital CEO Kate Becker said. “I appreciate the time and dedicated effort that went into every meeting over the last month. Our employees deserve the focus and collaboration that was required to get this done.â€
The contract covers employment terms for both regular and PRN (pro re nata) employees. The agreement includes a 3% wage increase for the employees. UNMH said the wage increase is consistent with increases other UNM Hospital employees received earlier this year. The wage increase for AFT’s members became effective Oct. 13.
The inclusion of PRN employees has been an ongoing issue between the hospital and union, with both parties still waiting for a final ruling from a New Mexico district court judge to decide whether PRNs can be included in the bargaining unit.
According to a press release from UNMH, New Mexico law states only “regular employees†can lawfully be included in a bargaining unit. Since PRN employees are freelance workers, UNM Hospital has long held that it would be unlawful to include them in public union membership. The hospital said it included PRNs in the bargaining “in the spirit of bargaining in good faith.â€
“This is great news for our clinical employees here at SRMC who work hard to deliver high-quality and safe care to every patient who comes through our hospital doors,†UNM SRMC President Jamie Silva-Steele said. “We remain committed to providing the very best care to our patients while also supporting our staff who selflessly put their patients first.â€
The contract also includes creation of a labor-management committee that will look into safe staffing ratios and other ways to improve patient healing conditions and working conditions, a wage increase, job protections and a prohibition on the hospital unilaterally changing the working conditions and benefits without negotiating with the union.
The union will now represent about 400 clinical employees working at UNM SRMC
“This contract represents basic respect for hospital professionals who work tirelessly for their patients. It shouldn’t have been so hard to get to this place, and the workers’ tenacity and the public’s support for their current or future caregivers moved the needle and resulted in this contract,†said Randi Weingarten, president of the AFT. “We need hospitals to work collaboratively with their front-line workers and respect their input. When that happens, workers and patients are better off.â€