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Registered nurses at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ, overwhelmingly ratified a new collective bargaining agreement, 769-117, in all-day voting yesterday, United Steelworkers Local 4-200 announced here late last night.

Approval of the new contract, which includes major improvements in health care coverage for nurses and their families, marks a highly successful end to the strike by Local 4-200’s 1,300 registered nurses which began August 24.

“This victory belongs to the nurses,” said USW International Vice President Fred Redmond, “who stood together to demand dignity and respect from their employer. Without their steadfast determination and unwavering support, this agreement would not have been possible.”

“Our membership voted not just in their own best interests, but also in the best interests of the hospital and the community,” said local union president Jerry Collins. “With this ratification, our 1,300 nurses will be back where we belong — delivering the highest quality health care to our patients.”

The union leaders noted that, in a climate where management in virtually every industry is seeking concessions from employees, the newly ratified agreement contains improvements in all areas of the contract. In addition to major improvements in health care coverage, it includes:

·         Wage increases of 3 percent in each year of the three-year agreement.

·         No increases in health care premiums.

·         Improvements in bereavement, acuity and staffing.

·         New provisions to protect employees’ rights and safety on the job.