(Hershey, PA) – Registered Nurses at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center voted by an 85% majority to ratify a new 4-year union contract that will expire on 3/31/2012. The new contract will re-open in 2010 to allow RNs to negotiate the final 2 years of wage increases and improve other economic aspects of their contract.

“This contract ensures the highest standards in the region for nurses and patients,” said Kay Good, RN, President of the PSMSHMC chapter of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania. “Our contract makes our medical center a magnet for the best nurses in our region – and that means our patients will receive the best care.”

Key provisions in the contract include:

• Wage increases. All RNs will receive a 4% across-the-board wage increase and up to 2% merit raise effective 4/25/08 and 4/1/09 in addition to wage adjustments to correct disparities among nurses with equivalent experience. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists will receive wage increases of 8.5% plus up to 2% merit increase on 4/25/08 and 4.5% plus merit increases on 4/1/09 in order to recruit CRNAs to fill positions as the medical center continues to expand surgical services.
  
  
• A Voice in Staffing. The contract includes a new process for staff nurses to have input in establishing quality staffing guidelines and an improved ability to enforce them, ensuring there will be enough nurses on duty to provide quality care to every patient.
  
  
• Affordable healthcare.
  
  
• Strict limits on the use of mandatory overtime, ensuring nurses are well-rested and patients receive quality care.