REGINA — The union for Saskatchewan's nurses has reached a deal with the organization that represents the province's health organizations.
The Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations and the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses issued a joint news release Thursday night stating they have signed a memorandum of agreement on a tentative four-year collective bargaining agreement.
The agreement would be effective April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2018.
The joint statement says details will not be released until after the ratification process has been completed.
Special mediator Richard Hornung was brought in late last month after more than seven months of bargaining failed to find consensus.
Hornung says he doesn't recall parties ever moving so far so quickly on fundamental issues.
"This is a testament to the professionalism and goodwill of both organizations, and I congratulate them on a job very well done," Hornung said in the release.
Negotiations for a new contract began last July, but broke off earlier in February.
The nurses have been without a contract since March 2014.
Nurses' union president Tracy Zambory previously stated their biggest concern was the employer wanted to restrict a nurse's ability to call in additional staff if needed.
The Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations, which bargains on behalf of the province, had said negotiations broke down when the talk turned to wages.
