Safety improvements. Wage increases. Restful breaks. 

Nurses at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland secured key gains in working conditions under a new contract ratified by members of the hospital’s nurses union on March 31, according to a release.  

Organizers with the Washington State Nurses Association said the contract vote had a historic turnout, though did not release a tally of total votes. The new contract goes into effect immediately. 

“This agreement follows a long and challenging bargaining process that required persistence, unity and a strong commitment from nurses across the hospital,” WSNA said in a statement addressed to union members. “Your engagement, advocacy and willingness to stand together made this contract possible.” 

Kadlec is the Tri-Cities’ largest hospital system and one of the region’s largest employers, with nearly 3,100 employees, according to the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business’ Book of Lists. More than 1,200 of those employees are nurses. 

“This agreement reflects six months of diligent work at the bargaining table, and we are grateful that together we were able to reach an agreement that supports our valued nurses and our mission,” Kadlec said in a statement to the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business. “We look forward to continuing to work together to deliver the safe, compassionate, high-quality care that our community knows and depends on us for.” 

Among the contract’s key impacts to Kadlec nurses: 

• More enforcement around providing breaks and proper staffing, including a formal process for reviewing break compliance, requirements for improvement plans and a bigger role for nurses in oversight and accountability. Departments that have specifically struggled with providing breaks will have the opportunity to institute a new pilot program to ensure uninterrupted meal and rest breaks. 
• Safety improvements such as increased attention to workplace violence, including stronger security measures and working toward safer environments, particularly in high-risk areas. 
• Wage improvements including higher premiums for roles such as charge nurse and evening shift, with a foundation for future shift-based wage improvements; transitioning to salary step growth to date-of-hire anniversary-based rather than hours worked; wage increases between $2 and more than $3 an hour as of the third full pay period after ratification. Wages will increase again after Nov. 1 and then twice more through 2027. 

“Many of the gains in this contract especially around staffing, breaks and safety will require active enforcement,” WSNA said in its message to union members. “Your participation in staffing committees, workgroups and reporting processes will be critical to making these improvements real in practice.”