By Robert Weisman
May 19, 2011
Negotiators for Saint Vincent and the Massachusetts Nurses Association, which represents the nurses, reached agreement on the contract on May 4, averting a strike that had been called for the following day.
Under the contract, patient ratios will be reduced to four to five per nurse on the day and evening shifts and no more than five on the night shift.
Patient ratios are currently up to six on days and evenings and up to seven at nights.
The new contract is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2010, and will run through Dec. 31, 2012.
Registered nurses at Tufts Medical Center are scheduled to hold a ratification vote today.
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