TimesLeader.com

Geisinger nurses OK labor pact with raises

By Andrew M. Seder aseder@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer

PLAINS TWP. – Registered nurses and hospital administrators at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center voted to ratify a new three-year contract late Thursday night, just days after the previous three-year deal expired.

More than 90 percent of the union members voted in favor of the new union contract, which expires on Jan. 27, 2012. It provides for improved staffing for quality patient care and 2.9 percent wage increases in each of the three years.

Geisinger spokesman Dave Jolley said the 400 members of the Service Employees International Union, which represents registered nurses at the Plains Township facility, voted during three different sessions Thursday.

Jolley said the hospital “is pleased that the registered nurses voted (Thursday) to ratify the new contract. We believe it’s fair to the nurses, recognizes the fine job they do and their professionalism and is fair to the organization.”

Negotiation sessions have been held all week.

A tentative agreement was struck Tuesday night, the final night of the previous contract.

Nurses at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre are not involved in this contract. Those nurses have a five-year deal that runs into 2011, Jolley said.

Kim Klinger, a staff nurse at the Geisinger facility in Plains Township, said the new contract will require high standards for staffing levels based on patient acuity, which will be implemented within the next year.

Wages and education benefits were also outlined in the ratified contract, which would enable Geisinger Wyoming Valley to continue to lead in recruitment and retention of registered nurses in the northeast region.

Under the new contract, nurses will receive paid time off to attend off-site educational conferences and improved support for education – $20,000 in education will be budgeted for this year.