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AP-PA--Pennsylvania News Coverage Advisory, PA

WASHINGTON, Pa. (AP) — A service workers union says it has reached a tentative contract with Washington Hospital in southwestern Pennsylvania. The Service Employees International Union Healthcare Pennsylvania had voted last week to strike on Feb. 16 and 17 if no contract was agreed on by then. Union spokeswoman Karen Gownley tells the (Washington) Observer-Reporter (http://bit.ly/1QSXXYn ) the tentative deal was reached Monday night. The union's three-year contract with the hospital expired Jan. 31. The union's 400 workers include maintenance, housekeeping, dietary and secretarial employees and comprise nearly one-fourth of the hospital's 1,723 employees. A hospital spokeswoman didn't immediately return messages seeking comment Tuesday. But Washington Health System previous said it was hoping to reach a "mutually beneficial agreement" offering "market-competitive" wages and benefits. The hospital is located in Washington, Pennsylvania, about 25 miles southwest of Pittsburgh. ___ Information from: Observer-Reporter, http://www.observer-reporter.com

Service union says it has tentative Washington hospital deal