St. E's nurses approve new contract

By WKTV News

Story Created: Nov 6, 2009 at 1:37 PM EST

Story Updated: Nov 6, 2009 at 1:37 PM EST

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Nurses at St. Elizabeth Medical Center approved a new three-year contract Friday afternoon.

In a release from the New York State Nurses Association, the contract "will keep the facility competitive with other surrounding hospitals during this nursing shortage in which RNs are in high demand."

Other provisions include:

- Wage increases of 3.5% in 2009, 3.5% in 2010, and 3.0% in 2011.

- An increase in the percentage of paid days off an RN can buy back at retirement from 50% to 70%.

- Increased tuition reimbursement.

- Case managers, who were added to the bargaining unit in 2007, were brought up to wage and benefit level of the hospital’s staff nurses.

The release goes on to say, "the nurses are pleased to have attained a contract that ensures the future stability of the nursing workforce and ensures that St. Elizabeth Medical Center will continue to provide the very highest quality of medical care to its patients."
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