Catholic Healthcare West and the California Nurses Association Reach Tentative Agreements on New Contracts

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Nov 02 (MARKET WIRE) --
Catholic Healthcare West (CHW), the largest not-for-profit hospital
system in California, today announced agreements with the California
Nurses Association (CNA) on two new contracts and the extension of a
third, covering approximately 12,000 nurses at 28 CHW facilities in
Northern and Southern California and four facilities in Nevada. These
agreements reflect the commitment of Catholic Healthcare West and its
nurses to their patients and communities.

The new tentative agreements include a new master contract with standard
wage/benefit packages for covered nurses at CHW's California facilities;
the first CNA contract for CHW's St. Rose Dominican Hospitals in southern
Nevada; and the extension of the Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center,
Reno contract with the CNA. They also include a collaborative agreement
covering measures to limit and treat H1N1 influenza across the CHW system.

"We're proud to join with the CNA in reaching agreements that are good for
our nurses and our healing ministry," said Ernie Urquhart, senior vice
president/chief human resources officer. "These agreements highlight our
unwavering and nationally recognized commitment to all of our patients and
staff."

The two new contracts, if ratified, would include wage increases of 20
percent over four years. They also cover measures CHW has in place to
prepare for and respond to the H1N1 pandemic and future health contagions
at its facilities including information and training as well as the
provision of personal protective equipment, including N95 respirator masks
and clothing. Under the agreements, CNA nurses will have a collaborative
voice in monitoring these measures at CHW's facilities through a joint,
system-wide Pandemic Task Force.

"Catholic Healthcare West and its hospitals have been following federal
and state guidelines for the H1N1 pandemic," said Robert Wiebe, MD,
senior vice president/chief medical officer. "Since the pandemic was
declared last spring, we have been taking measures to ensure the health
and safety of our patients, employees and communities. We are pleased to
have the CNA's full collaboration in furthering our efforts."

The CNA bargaining team will unanimously recommend that CHW's registered
nurses approve the agreements. The contracts become effective upon
ratification by CNA-member registered nurses at the covered CHW
facilities.

About Catholic Healthcare West

Catholic Healthcare West (CHW), headquartered in San Francisco, CA, is a
system of 41 hospitals and medical centers in California, Arizona, and
Nevada. Founded in 1986, it is one of the nation's largest not-for-profit
health care systems and the largest private hospital system in California.
CHW is committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality, affordable
health care services with special attention to the poor and underserved.
The CHW network of nearly 10,000 physicians and approximately 54,000
employees provides health care services to more than five million people
annually. In 2009, CHW provided nearly $1.2 billion in charity care,
community benefit, and unreimbursed patient care. For more information,
please visit our website at www.chwHEALTH.org.

Contact:
Jill Dryer
Catholic Healthcare West
(916) 851-2030

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