Members at Health Alliance in Kingston unanimously ratified a new contract on June 10 with substantial gains and no givebacks. The contract includes an across-the-board wage increase of $1.00 per hour for all 180 RNs, and increases in experience steps that will give some members an immediate 10% pay bump. The nurses also won additional certification pay and more advance notice provisions.

Health Alliance had insistence that it would not offer any wage increase or direct deposit of paychecks. Health Alliance LBU President Estelle Aquino-Woych, RN, summed up the feelings of her coworkers: “It took a long time, but we finally got direct deposit plus the money that goes with it. The nurses are happy.” The agreement is especially important for members at this time while Health Alliance is merged into Westchester Medical Center.