Registered nurses at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte have ratified a three-year contract that grants across-the-board wage increases of 16.5 percent.

The California Nurses Association/National Nurses United represents the roughly 1,200 RNs at City of Hope. The contract was approved late May 15.

The new City of Hope agreement includes the pay raise nurses say will boost recruitment and retention.

It will also include wage adjustments to bring nurse wages closer to those at similar hospitals in the region. The hospital agreed to set up a pool of essential relief nurses to fill in for RNs who go out on meal or rest breaks.

Health business reporter Dana Bartholomew can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @_DanaBart.