Crozer Chester reaches agreement with unionized nurses

    Crozer Chester Medical Center has ratified an agreement with its 700 nurses union employees.After four meetings yesterday, both sides voted to approve a three-year agreement following the union’s authorization of a strike in May.A key issue for nurses was the nurse-to-patient staffing ratio, and one of the highlights of the new agreement includes a regular review of staffing concerns. Crozer will be required to respond in writing to each suggestion from the Staffing and Professional Development Committee.
    Some of the other elements of the agreement are:

    The continuation of a pay scale that recognizes experience, skill and longevity of the dedicated nursing staff.
    A one-year freeze in pension accrual for current employees under the age of 60 and the movement of newly hired employees to a new “defined contribution” pension rather than the traditional pension that will continue to be applied to incumbent employees.

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