PROVIDENCE (AP) - Nurses and other unionized workers at Women & Infants Hospital have approved a new four-year contract that calls for wage increases and the start of employee contributions to health-care costs.
The vote this week was 1,138 to 55. The contract includes wage hikes in all but the first year and has employees beginning to make contributions to their health care in 2014. The agreement covers some 1,700 nurses, technicians, service workers and clerical staff.
Patrick Quinn, executive vice president of Service Employees International Union District 1199, says the contract recognizes the need to invest in workers. Hospital COO Mark Marcantano says it fosters a partnership that will assure a "strong and vibrant future for our hospital in the era of health care reform."