Registered Nurses at Catholic Healthcare West Ratify New Contract
On Monday, registered nurses represented by the California Nurses Association labor union ratified new contracts with Catholic Healthcare West that will increase nurses' wages and boost hospital protections against H1N1 influenza, also known as swine flu, the Sacramento Business Journal reports.
The four-year contracts will affect RNs working at 28 CHW-affiliated hospitals in California and four CHW hospitals in Nevada.
Nurses will gain a 20% wage increase under the new agreement.
The contracts also call for the hospitals to establish a task force of nurses and hospital representatives to oversee H1N1 flu preparedness and set uniform standards. The task forces also will manage communication, equipment, training and triage for H1N1 flu (Robertson, Sacramento Business Journal, 11/23). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.