Months after strike, nurses reach contract with Providence Everett
EVERETT — After months of tense negotiations, nurses at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett have approved a contract with the hospital, the nurses’ union announced Wednesday.
An “overwhelming majority” of about 1,300 nurses approved the contract in a vote held at the hospital’s Pacific Campus this week, according to a union statement. The contract comes after 10 months of negotiations, a five-day strike and a tentative deal that failed in December, with 51.8% of nurses voting against.
The approved contract will provide nurses a 21.5% pay increase over three years, increased benefits and compensation for chronic understaffing. Terms will ensure pay comparable with other hospitals in the region by requiring Providence to review and adjust its wages each year to align with market wages.
“This victory includes groundbreaking contract language aimed at helping staffing challenges,” the union statement reads. “From the outset of negotiations, our primary focus has been to tackle the pressing issues of staffing shortages and patient safety concerns head-on.”
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/months-after-strike-nurses-reach-contract-with-providence-everett/