A “significant” wage increase and enhanced staffing positions came with a new contract for the 150 nurses at the Fair Acres Geriatric Center in Media , writes John George for Philadelphia Business Journal.

Ninety seven percent of the nurses voted to ratify the one-year contract.

Delaware County owns Fair Acres and the agreement still needs to be approved by Delaware County Council.

The nurses are represented by the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nursing and Allied Professionals (PASNAP).

Specific provisions include:

• An average pay increase of 9%
• A “Recognition of Dedicated Service” award with a one-time bonus of $1,500
• The creation of a four-person committee to discuss and recommend changes to improve staffing.
• The retention of current health care benefits.
• The recognition of Nurses Day as a holiday at Fair Acres.

Twenty-nine- year Fair Acres nurse Vicky Redde called the contract “excellent”.  She hopes it will “spark the staffing turnaround we need and provide a wonderful foundation for moving forward.”

“Health care professionals worked selflessly during the Covid-19 pandemic, at great physical and emotional risk to themselves,” PASNAP President Maureen May said. The new contract reflects that dedication and sacrifice.

Read more at The Philadelphia Business Journal about a new nurses contract at Fair Acres Geriatric Center.