A new contract for Saskatchewan nurses is officially in place after the deal was ratified by the union of nurses, and the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations.

The contract, which is for four years, retroactive to April 1, 2014, includes lump sum payments of $800 for the first two years of the deal.

Included in the deal is a wage increase of 1.5 per cent for this year and next year.

Also, the agreement allows for nurses to call in additional staff, better processes for employee turnover, and patient safety.

The contract is effective until March 31, 2018.