(COLDWATER) – A new contract has been agreed on between ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital and the Branch County Independent Nurses Association.

ProMedica issued a media release, saying that after months of negotiating in good faith, the two came to a tentative three year agreement, which was voted on by the Nurses Association’s union membership and approved.

The latest agreement restructures the distribution of the elements agreed to in the previous tentative agreements. It rewards ProMedica Coldwater nurses fairly for a rural setting, while considering the extreme financial challenges the hospital, like so many other hospitals, is facing due to the COVID pandemic fallout.

The new contract also reflects ProMedica Coldwater’s continued commitment to nursing recruitment and retention. When recruiting, ProMedica Coldwater regularly starts nurses at salaries commensurate with their years of experience. And, while the hospital’s nurse turnover rate is well below the national average, they will continue to strive for even greater nurse retention.

ProMedica Coldwater President Alan Sattler says they are pleased to have reached the shared goal of agreeing on new contract terms that reflect the priorities of both parties: such as patient safety. Sattler says they value the work ProMedica Coldwater nurses and other care team members do each and every day, and are committed to supporting them as everyone works together to provide the community with high-quality, safe, compassionate care.