Claxton-Hepburn RNs approve new contract

OGDENSBURG, April 22, 2008 – Registered nurses at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center approved a new three-year contract this morning.

The 150 RNs are represented by the New York State Nurses Association.

The agreement, which is retroactive to Feb. 1, 2008, and runs through Jan. 31, 2011, will establish a step system for employee salaries and experience pay. The contract calls for all steps to increase by 4% retroactive to Feb. 1, 2008; increase by 7% on Feb. 1, 2009; and by 5% on Feb. 1, 2010.

Although the contract accommodated a change in the retirement plan because of the financial position of the employer, the nurses in exchange obtained retirement coverage for a greater number of RNs and a higher percentage in step increases.

The contract also protects the nurses’ ability to work 12-hour shifts by no longer allowing the medical center to unilaterally convert such shifts to 7.5 hours.

With more than 36,000 members, the New York State Nurses Association is the nation's oldest and largest state nurses’ association. NYSNA fosters high standards of nursing education, research, and practice; engages in legislative activity; and provides collective bargaining services to registered nurses. Its mission is to advance the profession of nursing and protect the public's health.

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