![['Debbie Forward — File photo']](https://saltwire.imgix.net/debbie-forward-1895444.jpg?cs=srgb&fit=crop&h=568&w=847&dpr=1&auto=enhance%2Cformat%2Ccompress)
Members of the Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador (RNU) have ratified an agreement to extend their contract with the provincial government for two more years.
A tentative agreement on the extension, which takes the contract to June 30, 2022, had been reached last month. At the time, RNU president Debbie Forward said the extended agreement was the “best option” for nurses given the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
That message was repeated in a news release announcing the acceptance of the deal.
“We are pleased to extend our contract and provide stability for our members, as well as our patients and the health care system in very uncertain times,” said Forward. “I want to thank our members who took the time to vote.”
The two-year extension includes a four per cent salary increase and extension of the no-layoffs clause for budgetary reasons.
Voting took place online June 9 to 11. Of the 2,726 votes received, 85.7% per cent were in favour of the new agreement.
The contract applies to approximately 5,300 RNU members, meaning just over half the membership cast votes.
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