Unionized nurses at Liberty Dialysis Hawaii have ratified a new three-year labor deal that includes a 6 percent wage increase over the life of the contract.

The contract, negotiated on behalf of the nurses by the Hawaii Nurses Association, also calls for:

• Differential pay of $1.50 per hour for "preceptor" nurses, experienced nurses who mentor and train new nurses.

• Differential pay of 50 cents per hour for nurses who have a nephrology certification. Such nurses specialize in renal dysfunction.

• Differential of $150 a week for nurses who consult with patients at home over the phone.

Liberty Dialysis, based in Washington state, has more than a dozen clinics on O'ahu, Kaua'i, Maui, Moloka'i and the Big Island.

HAWAIIAN SPRINGS SIGNS DEAL TO SELL WATER IN 17 NATIONS

Big Island-based Hawaiian Springs said it has signed a distribution agreement that will make its bottled water available in 16 Asian countries and Australia.

"As we continue our successful expansion on the U.S. Mainland it is a natural progression for us to expand globally, especially into the Asian market where there is a natural affinity for Hawaiian products and culture," Rick Hadley, chairman and chief executive officer of Hawaiian Springs said in a news release.

Hawaiian Springs formed a partnership with Inter-Islands Distribution to oversee marketing and distribution of the brand in Asia.

Hawaiian Springs was formed in Kea'au in 2005.

RESTRUCTURING OF $11.6B IN GENERAL GROWTH LOANS OK'D

General Growth Properties Inc., whose Hawai'i properties include Ala Moana Center and Ward Centers, has won approval from creditors and a federal court to restructure loans totaling $11.6 billion.

The company won confirmation yesterday from U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Allan Gropper in Manhattan of its plan to extend the maturities of seven loans at least $1.3 billion after creditors agreed to the terms.

That amount was in addition to $10.25 billion in debt that Gropper said on Dec. 15 Chicago-based General Growth could reorganize in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case, bringing the total to $11.6 billion, said Anup Sathy, a lawyer from Kirkland & Ellis LLP representing General Growth.

— Advertiser Staff reports