Nurses union ‘overwhelmingly’ ratifies contract with PBMC, averting strike

Nurses and other healthcare workers at Peconic Bay Medical Center have “overwhelmingly” supported the tentative agreement reached last week between the union and the Riverhead hospital, union local President Chris Honor said this morning. The union’s vote on ratification took place over two days, beginning with in-person voting on Tuesday and absentee ballots cast online yesterday.

“Our contract was overwhelmingly ratified last night,” Honor said in an email this morning.

“While it did not address the staffing ratios we had hoped for, the wages were increased to make us competitive with other area hospitals,” he wrote. “We will continue to enforce the current ratios and hope for progress in the next 3 years until the next contract!”

Peconic healthcare workers are the lowest paid on Long Island, according to the New York State Nurses Association. 

Compensation was the main issue for the union members at PBMC, where union officials said starting pay is about $12,000 less than at South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, another Northwell Health system hospital. The top of the scale at PBMC is approximately $32,000 lower than at South Shore, Marie Boyle, a member of the board of directors of the New York State Nurses Association said at a Feb. 1 rally outside the hospital.

Under the terms of the tentative agreement, healthcare workers at PBMC will see wage increases from 18% to 20% over the three-year contract period, depending on job title and years of experience. The union secured a staffing ratio of one nurse to seven patients, with stronger staffing enforcement, as well as protection of members’ healthcare and pension benefits, a union representative said last week after a “marathon” bargaining session. The tentative agreement was reached Feb. 15, after the union issued a strike notice setting a Feb. 21 deadline for a walkout unless a deal was struck.

The union announced the ratification of contracts at PBMC and Long Island Jewish/Valley Stream in a press release this morning. It aid that over 85% of its members voted to ratify the contract.

According to the press release, the PBMC contract, effective Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2026, includes:

• Improvements to safe staffing standards, including ratio and staffing level improvements to cardiac catheterization, telemetry, and emergency departments. Many units must also now staff to higher levels based on patient acuity. 
• Stronger, expedited safe staffing enforcement. 
• Enhanced language to ensure members get meals and breaks. 
• Protection of NYSNA health and pension benefits. 
• Eligibility to participate in the employer’s pre and post 65 retiree health insurance. 
• Increased tuition reimbursement. 
• Average wage increases of 18-20% over three years, depending on experience and job title. 
• Greater voice in epidemic and pandemic preparation and safety, including participation in the Infection Prevention Committee.  

NYSNA said it represents 400 RNs, x-ray technicians, lab technicians, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals at PBMC.

“Peconic Bay Medical Center is pleased to have reached an agreement with NYSNA,” a hospital spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “From the start of negotiations, our sole focus remained ensuring that our patients continue to receive world-class care and our dedicated nurses and allied health professionals can continue to serve in the best environment to provide that care. The agreement provides competitive compensation and benefits and reaffirms our commitment to our team members and delivering safe, high-quality care.”

Editor’s note: This story has been amended to add a comment from Peconic Bay Medical Center, received after it was published.