Kadlec nurses ratify new contract

Nurses at Kadlec have voted to approve a new contract, according to a statement from Providence Kadlec.

Negotiators reached a tentative agreement two weeks ago after 16 negotiating sessions, 14 months, and a vote to authorize a strike.

Representatives from the Washington State Nurses Association called the contract a major victory for nurses at the hospital.

One of the major hurdles in the negotiations had to do with the rate at which nurses accrued paid time off. Providence Kadlec had proposed reducing the accrual rate for paid time off, and lowering the cap for accrued hours.

The new contract maintains paid-time off benefits for currently employed nurses.

Members of the nurses union voted throughout the day Monday in favor of ratifying the tentative agreement.

The new contract is good through October 31, 2022.