Pottstown Hospital nurses, who are represented by the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals, have voted “overwhelmingly” to ratify a new three-year contract, writes John George for the Philadelphia Business Journal.

“This contract, with its emphasis on safe staffing, prioritizes excellence in patient care as well as the health and safety of frontline bedside caregivers,” said PASNAP President Maureen May. “We are thrilled.”

Officials at Tower Health, which owns and operates the hospital, said they were satisfied that the contract negotiations were concluded successfully.

“The agreement is consistent with Tower Health’s nursing and human resource policies and practices throughout our system,” said Tower Health.

According to the contract, all nurses who did not receive a full $5 per hour wage increase in July will be given the increase retroactively until October 10. The wage scale was also expanded with two more experience steps, at 15 and 25 years.

For the contract’s second and third year, all nurses will receive a 2 percent wage increase along with step increases, if applicable.

Additionally, a nurse practice and staffing committee will be created to review staffing levels and create staffing grids for specific units.

Read more about Pottstown Hospital in the Philadelphia Business Journal.