The Ohio State University Nurses Organization ratified a new union contract on Wednesday. OSUNO said the contract provides 鈥渟tronger protections and resources鈥� for nurses.
鈥淚 think this contract is a huge step forward for nurses and health professionals and for patients, in regards to safety and just being able to have the care that they deserve and expect when they come into the hospital," said Catharyne Henderson, a staff nurse at OSU's Wexner Medical Center.
Ohio State nurses have been concerned about violence in the workplace and this contract addresses some of their safety concerns and includes a plan to implement metal detectors throughout the medical center in August. The union also called for more input from nurses in the Workplace Safety Committee to get nurses鈥� issues at the forefront.
They were also able to negotiate the contract with higher wages for OSU nurses.
鈥淓verybody's getting an increase so that鈥檚 definitely a step forward for our nurses,鈥� Henderson said.
The contract agreement avoids the merit-based wage system that Ohio State initially wanted, a choice that would have been "detrimental," according to Henderson. This system would mean that some nurses wouldn鈥檛 get a raise at all.
The union is still focused on holding Ohio State accountable and believes this contract is part of an ongoing fight.
鈥淚t feels really good. But the fight is not over, because obviously now we have to enforce the contract. Otherwise, it's just words on paper that don't mean anything,鈥� Henderson said.
The Wexner Medical Center said officials are glad to have reached a fair agreement with the union.
