Eastern Maine nurses reach tentative contract agreement

BANGOR, Maine (AP) - The Maine State Nurses Association says nurses at Eastern Maine Medical Center have reached a tentative contract agreement.

The three-year agreement announced Monday applies to the 872 union nurses at the Bangor hospital.

The union says the contract includes increased salaries and benefits and language that factors the nurses’ skills into staffing assignments.

The nurses began contract negotiations in May, and they held a candlelight vigil last month to bring attention to their concerns.

Nurses will hold a vote on the contract agreement Friday. If approved, it will last until September 2021.