The Student Health Services (SHS) employees union (SHENS) reached a tentative agreement with The New School around 10 p.m. last night, averting a strike that would have prevented students from accessing regular care from university providers. 

“After eight hours of negotiations, SHS staff have reached a tentative agreement,” the unit’s local union, ACT-UAW Local 7902 posted to Instagram a few minutes after 11 p.m. last night. The union had begun negotiations with the university at 2 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon after calling a strike at the end of their bargaining session Monday night. 

The New School said they were “proud” of the agreement. They described it as a “strong package of pay increases, benefit enhancements, and professional development support. Our Student Health Employees provide important healthcare services to our students, and their roles include therapists, counselors, nurses, social workers, and physicians,” in a university-wide statement this morning.

The tentative four-year contract now heads to all SHENS members for a ratification vote. If the majority of the members vote to ratify it, the contract will go into effect. According to the union, the agreement includes 5% to 24% pay increases, a $2,500 bonus, an end to wage disparity for counselors, and a student loan repayment fund. The vote will take place in the coming weeks. 

“This agreement avoids any planned strike action by SHENS-UAW, and student health services will continue normally,” the university said.