HOULTON – The board of trustees of Houlton Regional Hospital expressed satisfaction that the hospital and the nurses union, The Maine State Nurses Association-National Nurses Organizing Committee, have agreed to a new three-year contract.

The board said in a press release it felt that reaching the agreement in only three sessions was a tribute to the professionalism of the nurses and the good relationship that exists between the nurse managers and the RNs.

Seeking to clarify points of the contract, the board highlighted the major points of the agreement. Under the agreement, the registered nurses will receive a 10 percent pay increase this January, a 5 percent increase in January 2009 and a 5 percent increase in January 2010. These increases are necessary to remain competitive with other Aroostook County hospitals.

The membership of the existing nurse practice committee has been changed to include nurse managers instead of a director of nursing and will now be chaired by a staff nurse. The nurse practice committee has existed for approximately six years and is a forum for the nurses to discuss issues relating to procedure, safety, staffing, technology and nursing practice. This committee meets monthly and its recommendations are advisory in nature. It will be renamed the Professional Practice Committee and will remain advisory.

The hospital and nurses have agreed to add a section to the contract regarding technology. The hospital recognizes that new clinical technology can improve the quality and safety of patient care and outcomes. The contract language guarantees that the hospital will continue to seek comment from nurses regarding new technology and will continue to provide appropriate training and education.