A new labor deal between Crozer Keystone Health System and about 1,400 nurses and health professionals calls for wage increases, lower health premiums and new staffing  guidelines, writes John George for the Philadelphia Business Journal.

“With the positive resolution of these contract fights as the virus surge continues in our area, the needs of our dedicated frontline workers have been acknowledged and respected and their patient communities are further protected,” said Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Health Professionals (PASNAP) President Maureen May said in a statement.

Video highlights the joy Crozer staff members get from their work.

The agreement affects members of the PASNAP at four Delaware County hospitals:  Crozer Chester Medical Center in Upland; Delaware County Memorial Medical Center in Drexel Hill; Springfield Hospital; and Rejuvenations at Fair Acres, a 20-bed geriatric behavioral health unit.

The contracts include wage increases, premium pay for weekend shifts; enforceable staffing guidelines, including a minimum number of registered nurses for each shift and lower health insurance premiums.

Wage increases range between 12 percent and 36 percent over three and four years at the Crozer facilities.

Crozer Health is part of California-based Prospect Medical Holdings, which owns and operates 17 hospitals and 162 outpatient facilities and clinics nationwide.

Read more about the new contracts at Philadelphia Business Journal.