Antelope Valley Medical Center nurses ratify new contract with strong measures to improve patient safety and nurse retention

RNs ratified four-year contract Nov. 19, AVMC board of directors approved contract Nov. 20

Registered nurses at Antelope Valley Medical Center (AVMC) in Lancaster, Calif., voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying a new four-year contract on Nov. 19, winning protections to improve patient safety and nurse retention, announced the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU) today. AVMC's Board of Directors unanimously approved the agreement on Nov. 20.

On Nov. 18 and 19, the nurses voted 92 percent in favor of ratifying a new union contract covering more than 900 RNs represented by CNA.

"Our RN bargaining team believes this new union contract is a great step in the right direction to recruit and retain nurses for AVMC and our community," said Kathleen Stalter, RN in the telemetry unit. "We stood together for our patients, and we won."

Highlights of the contract include:

• Improvements to health and safety protections from infectious diseases, including language to ensure nurses get the highest level of personal protective equipment and safety standards when caring for patients.
• Improved recruitment and retention practices, including transparency in AVMC's hiring practices to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion in hiring and retention practices and a commitment to a workplace free from racism and discrimination.
• Safe staffing: New language creating a float pool for the Women and Infants Pavilion, providing much-needed staff to the obstetrics units.
• Workplace violence prevention: Stronger language that enhances workplace violence protections and accountability in the workplace.
• Economic gains and benefits to retain experienced nurses: Wage increases of 20 percent over four years across the board, and step increases ranging from 4 to 12 percent over the life of the agreement. Retention of health, retirement, and other benefits.

The new pact covers the period Nov. 21, 2024, to May 31, 2028.

California Nurses Association/National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the nation with more than 100,000 members in more than 200 facilities throughout California and nearly 225,000 RNs nationwide.