LIJ Valley Stream Nurses Reach Tentative Agreement With Northwell:

VALLEY STREAM, NY — Nurses at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream/Northwell reached a tentative agreement.

The Sunday morning pact comes after bargaining through the night to avert a Feb. 21 strike, the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) announced.

Members were voting Tuesday on whether to ratify the agreement. Nurses had been seeking new safe staffing standards, improved benefits and wage increases.

"Nurses put our lives on the line because we care about our patients," Sandra Armstrong, a nursing leader at LIJ Valley Stream. "That’s why I became a nurse, and that’s why we were ready to do whatever it takes to achieve safe staffing and fair wages to retain nurses and provide excellent care for our Valley Stream community."

NYSNA President Nancy Hagans said: "Congratulations to our members at LIJ Valley Stream, who fought hard for safe staffing and respectful wages to recruit and retain nurses for Valley Stream patients. Their willingness to fight for a fair contract will ensure Northwell is investing in safe patient care."