A union that represents hundreds of nurses and medical technicians at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center in Santa Fe has overwhelmingly ratified a new, three-year labor contract.
that Saturday's vote brings an end to months of heated negotiations.
The agreement includes a minimum staffing level beginning Jan. 1, making St. Vincent the first New Mexico hospital to enact such a standard. Under the contract, the hospital faces monetary penalties if it doesn't abide by the staffing standards.
The contract also calls for up to 8.5 percent in pay raises and a greater voice for nurses when they're concerned about patient care or staffing.
Both sides also agreed to drop complaints against each other filed with the National Labor Relations Board.