The union representing nurses and technicians at Drexel Hill, Pa.-based Delaware County Memorial Hospital reached a tentative contract agreement with the hospital's owner, Los Angeles-based Prospect Medical Holdings, according to a Delaware County Daily Times report.
The Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Health Professionals and the hospital owner which acquired the hospital's parent, Springfield, Pa.-based Crozer-Keystone Health System, last year — have been in contract negotiations for more than a year.
"The 375 dedicated nurses and technical staff of DCMH are pleased to have won this first contract with the hospital, an agreement that provides nurses and technical staff with a strong, permanent voice to advocate for better patient care and respect and recognition for the professionals that provide such care," Bill Cruice, executive director of the PASNAP, said in a statement, according to the report.
In a statement provided to the Delaware County Daily Times, Crozer-Keystone Health expressed satisfaction with the tentative agreement.
"With these first contracts in place, DCMH will continue to provide safe, high-quality care and fulfill its mission of improving the health of those we serve," the health system said. "We deeply appreciate the patience of our employees, our physicians, our patients and our community throughout this process."
The tentative agreement comes about a month after DCMH nurses and technicians went on strike. Workers are slated to vote on the agreement Thursday, according to the report.