Nathan Littauer Hospital nurses OK new three-year contract

PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Lamendola

Registered nurses at Nathan Littauer Hospital Tuesday night approved a three-year contract that includes wage increases in return for givebacks on sick time.

The contact, which is retroactive to Jan. 1, provides 150 nurses with a one-time lump-sum payment of 1 percent within four weeks after ratification and a 1.75 percent wage increase. Nurses with 10 or more years of experience will receive an additional 50 cents per hour. Wages will then increase by 1 percent each year in 2012 and 2013.

The hospital also allowed nurses to retain their current health insurance benefits, but the hospital will no longer waive co-pays or deductibles for services obtained at the hospital.

Further, within two months of ratification of this agreement, the vice president of nursing will meet once a month with a joint labor/management committee to discuss staffing issues, with the goal of improving patient care and safety.

As part of the agreement, nurses agreed to accrue less sick time when the current contract expires.

The hospital will establish a workplace violence prevention policy as well.

The contract runs through Dec. 31, 2013.