Appalachian nurses to end months-long dispute with ARH

Hundreds of Appalachian nurses and the region's largest health care provider have reached a tentative labor agreement, possibly ending a months-long dispute.

Photo: Appalachian nurses to end months-long dispute with ARH

Both sides said details of the agreement will not be disclosed until the 700 registered nurses at ARH vote on the new contract between Friday and Saturday, the AP reports.

The Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) system is a not-for-profit health system serving 350,000 residents across Eastern Kentucky and Southern West Virginia.

Operating nine hospitals, clinics, home health agencies, HomeCare Stores and retail pharmacies, ARH is the largest provider of care and single largest employer in southeastern Kentucky and the third largest private employer in southern West Virginia, according to arh.org.

The ARH system employs more than 4,000 employees and has a network of more than 400 active and courtesy medical staff members representing various specialties. Firmly committed to its mission of improving the health and promoting the well-being of all people in Eastern Kentucky and Southern West Virginia, ARH provided nearly $96 million in charity and uncompensated care in the past year alone.

ARH's mission is to improve health and promote the well-being of all people in Central Appalachia in partnership with its communities. (Photo: www.statejournal.com)

Source: agencies