Nathan Littauer Nurses Ratify New Contract, Defend Patient Care in Fulton County

Since last fall, NYSNA members at Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville have been fighting to protect safe, quality patient care in their community. As the only hospital in rural Fulton County, the hospital provides critical health services for over 50,000 people, including birthing people and newborns as well as a growing number of Medicaid patients from the surrounding area. But routine understaffing, subpar wages and benefits, and a lack of investment from management have led to a revolving door of nurses at the hospital.

On Friday, June 6, NYSNA nurses voted to ratify a new contract, which was filled with hard-earned victories. Nurses’ main concerns during the contract fight were safe staffing, fair pay and the high cost of health insurance for families. Recognizing the impact that high insurance costs have on families and refusing to give in to management, NYSNA members were able to reduce the cost of family healthcare plans without increasing the cost for individuals, as management proposed. Nurses were also able to secure wage increases of up to 21% over the course of three years.

Path to Victory
NYSNA nurses stepped up the pressure on the hospital and campaigned for months for a fair contract. They marched on the boss and held a speak-out to demand that management return to the bargaining table and settle a fair contract with safe staffing and a real plan to recruit and retain nurses. They got the word out in the community through lawn signs. They escalated their campaign in late April and held an informational picket, echoing their demands for a fair contract that invests in safe, quality patient care in Fulton County. Community, labor and elected leaders showed up in solidarity with Nathan Littauer nurses.

Nathan Littauer nurses remind us all that when we fight, we win — and to never give up in the fight to defend safe, quality patient care for the communities we serve! Congratulations, Nathan Littauer nurses!