Federation of Nurses/UFT Win 14% Increase With Staten Island University Hospital Northwell Health

Members of the Federation of Nurses/UFT ratified a new contract Friday night that raises nurses' salaries at Staten Island University Hospital- South (SIUHS) by a compounded 14 percent, protects their premium-free healthcare and requires the hospital to increase staffing in key units.

"Our nurses are receiving the financial recognition they deserve with an on-time contract that preserves their health care benefits and increases staffing in some of the busiest units," said Anne Goldman, head of the Federation of Nurses/ UFT, which represents over 300 nurses at Staten Island University Hospital- South and over 16,000 nurses statewide.

Bevin Sullivan, a registered nurse who leads the union chapter at SIUHS, said the nurses' determination and advocacy over 18 bargaining sessions resulted in the salary and contract wins.

"We were unified, and the power of collective action came through clearly at the negotiating table," Sullivan said. "The message is that together we can change our working conditions and help our patients."

United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew agreed that the SIUHS nurses were a force to be reckoned with: "By standing together, our nurses brought needed changes to this hospital. These improvements will be felt not only by our nurses and their families, but by all who rely on this community hospital."

The SIUHS pact, which takes effect April 1, 2026 and runs through April 1, 2028, includes other hard-fought contract achievements:

• 5.25% pay raise effective April 1, 2026

• 4.0% pay raise effective April 1, 2027

• 4.0% pay raise effective April 1, 2028

• UFT Health Benefits remain fully funded and premium-free

• All nurses, current and future hires, are eligible to enroll in UFT Health Benefits

• An additional Registered Nurse on ED 7 days a week, 3 pm to 3 am; Medical-Surgical Units to have an average nurse-patient ratio 1:6

• No reduction of retirement contributionsNorthwell Pension Plan is now an option for registered nurses (RNs)Increases in experience pay differentials