UMass Memorial, nurses, reach contract deal

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — UMass Memorial Medical Center and the union representing 1,100 nurses have reached a tentative contract agreement that staves off a scheduled strike.

The deal reached Wednesday with nurses at the hospital's University Campus means nurses will not strike on Thursday, as had been planned.

The hospital and nurses agreed to a three-year contract that includes limits on the number of patients assigned to one nurse during a shift. Nurses had complained that staffing levels were unsafe.

Margaret McLoughlin, chairwoman of the bargaining unit, called it "a fair agreement that is a victory for all of us."

Dr. Eric Dickson, president and chief executive of UMass Memorial Health Care, said in a statement the deal is in the best interests of the hospital, nurses and patients.

A ratification vote will be scheduled.

Cox Media Group