Nurses at Traverse City, Mich.-based Munson Medical Center ratified their first contract agreement with hospital management on March 23.
The three-year agreement covers nurses represented by the Michigan Nurses Association.
It includes continued tuition reimbursement and professional development; limits mandated overtime; maintains the medical center's existing health insurance and retirement benefits; and provides a formal structure to address nurse staffing levels, according to hospital and union news releases. It also has a 13 percent raise for nurses over the life of the contract.
"Before we formed our union, we did not have a legitimate voice in decisions that affect quality care," said James Walker, RN. "Now, we've taken a huge step forward. This is a fair contract that puts patients first."
Dianne Michalek, vice president of marketing and corporate communications at Munson Healthcare, said: "We are pleased by this news and pleased to move beyond these negotiations. Our top priority has always been to ensure our patients receive the highest quality of care. Our nurses, like the rest of the healthcare team, are critical to that goal."
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