Nurses at First Hospital in Kingston, Pa., reached an agreement with the hospital's owner, Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems, after several months of negotiations and a one-day strike, according to The Citizens' Voice.
SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania at First Hospital ratified a new union contract with CHS July 3. The new 20-month agreement secures wage increases and affordable health insurance for nurses. It also establishes a new protocol for floating nurses between units at First Hospital, according to the report.
"After several months of negotiations and a one-day strike, my coworkers and I are very pleased to have reached a fair contract with management," Katie Laskowski, RN, said in a news release from the union. "In order to provide the quality care our patients deserve, we need to reduce turnover and increase our ability to recruit skilled nurses. We think this contract is a step in the right direction, and one that will positively impact patient care."
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