Editor’s note: The following is a press release issued Wednesday by Franciscan Health System.

Registered nurses at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Enumclaw approved a new two-year labor contract on Tuesday, March 22.

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) represents 95 registered nurses employed by St. Elizabeth. The hospital and the union had been in contract negotiations since March 2010.

“We are very pleased that members of the nursing staff have voted to accept this contract offer,” said hospital President Dennis Popp. “With the new contract in place, we can now focus on working together to provide area residents expert care close to home in our new facility.”

In February, Franciscan Health System opened St. Elizabeth Hospital, replacing Enumclaw Regional Hospital that had served the community for more than 60 years. The new, state-of-the-art hospital includes medical and surgical care, inpatient and outpatient imaging and ancillary services, a 24-hour emergency department and a Family Birth Center. The hospital has 25 beds.

In addition to St. Elizabeth Hospital, the Franciscan Health System operates hospitals and clinic throughout the South Puget Sound region.