Enumclaw Nurses Reach Tentative Agreement On New Contract

More than 100 Enumclaw nurses have reached a tentative agreement with St. Elizabeth hospital, winning better pay and avoiding cuts that were initially proposed. According to a press release from the union, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, under the new contract, management will develop written staffing guidelines and provide a retroactive pay raise of 3.25 percent, dating back to April when the old contract expired. Upon ratification, nurses will also receive an immediate 6.5 percent raise.

The agreement includes another 3.5 percent raise next year and higher pay for extra and standby shifts.

"With this victory we've shown that nurses at St. Elizabeth can stand together as a team and with our community — it's truly all for all," said Kelly Patton, a nurse at St. Elizabeth. "Because we're more of a rural hospital, you have to raise pay up to area standards, or you just can't attract new nurses."

Union representatives said nurses will vote on ratification of the contract Friday, and the final results will be tallied at 3:30 p.m.