Home Care Nurses Reach Tentative Labor Agreement

Nurses who care for people in their homes through the Spokane Visiting Nurse Association will not go on strike Monday.

Nurses and VNA management hammered out a tentative agreement Tuesday night during a meeting with a federal negotiator.

The agreement grants the nurses raises over the next two years and prohibits them from being disciplined for legitimately using sick time.

Nurses will vote tonight on the two-year contract proposal, but approval is expected. If approved, the contract will go into effect immediately.

The nurses had asked for 3 percent raises over each of the next two years. Management offered a 3 percent raise this year, and a 2 percent raise next year.

Nurses with less than 15 years experience also receive a 3 percent annual step increase.

, DataTimes