EMMC nurses reach tentative contract agreement

Union nurses at Eastern Maine Medical Center reached a tentative contract agreement with the hospital. This is according to the Maine State Nurses Association.

872 nurses are covered under the three-year contract, according to the union.

Last month, the Maine State Nurses Association held a candlelight vigil to bring attention to their concerns regarding a new agreement.

The nurses began contract negotiations in May.

They will vote on the agreement this Friday.

EMMC released this statement Monday morning:

"After many negotiation sessions held over nearly four months, Eastern Maine Medical Center and the Maine State Nurses Association/ National Nurses United have reached a tentative agreement on a three-year contract for our nurses. Through respectful discussions, we were able to come to an agreement that continues to focus on the safety of our patients; rewards our nurses for the expert care they provide; affords the Medical Center more flexibility in recruiting, retaining, and staffing to meet patient needs; and works within the realities of the current healthcare environment. We are encouraging our nurses to ratify this contract during a membership vote on September 21."