PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Women & Infants Hospital announced Wednesday that a tentative agreement has been reached with union members to avoid a strike. The agreement is a nearly three-year contract with 1199SEIU New England, which represents more than 2,000 "frontline staff" at the hospital including nurses, dietary and technical workers. According to the union, 90% of frontline caregivers at the hospital voted to authorize the strike after management at Care New England refused "to bargain in good faith." The strike was scheduled to begin on Dec. 12. "We are very pleased that we have reached an agreement on a contract that benefits both our staff and Women & Infants Hospital," Hospital President Shannon Sullivan said. The hospital said the agreement provides salary increases and saves the union's pension. The union previously said it had been trying to work out the details of a new contract since the beginning of October. "We are ready to move forward with all our colleagues to focus on what is most important: providing outstanding care," Sullivan added. This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News SIGN UP NOW