Skagit Regional Health, nurses reach agreement

MOUNT VERNON — Skagit Regional Health has reached an agreement on a new contract with its nurses union, after 20 bargaining sessions that spanned about a year.

“These were long, difficult negotiations that raised serious issues about patient safety,” said Ruth Schubert, communications director with the Washington State Nurses Association. “We are pleased that the agreement we reached includes significant wage increases, vastly improved staffing language and additional significant improvements.”