Members of the Ketchikan Registered Nurses union voted unanimously Monday to ratify a new labor agreement with PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center.
According to an announcement from the Alaska Nurses Association, the new three-year contract includes higher wages for nurses, comparable to wages paid in PeaceHealth facilities in the Lower 48.
The contract also provides for improved orientation and training, a mentorship program and more clinical support during the night shift.
Negotiations had stalled after four rounds of talks between nurses and PeaceHealth. The fifth round last week was mediated, and led to the tentative agreement that union members approved on Monday.
Ketchikan’s hospital is owned by the city of Ketchikan but is operated by PeaceHealth, a health care system that runs 10 hospitals in the Pacific Northwest.
