NYSNA Update: August 8
Albany Med Nurses Vote Overwhelmingly to Ratify New Contract
On Tuesday, Aug. 5, NYSNA nurses at Albany Medical Center ratified a new four-year contract, with 98% of members voting yes. This new contract comes after more than a year of tireless advocacy by NYSNA nurses and delivers on key demands, such as enforceable safe staffing, a strong union voice and improved union protections, and major wage increases. The increases will establish Albany Med as labor leaders in the capital region and help to retain experienced nurses who were previously disincentivized by wage caps. CBS6 , the Albany Times Union, News 10, Becker Hospital Review, WAMC, Spectrum News and more covered the contract victory.
Congratulations, Albany Med nurses! This victory was hard-fought — for the past year, nurses have been speaking out about the staffing crisis at your hospital and its devastating impact on patient care in the capital region. They’ve held town hall meetings and community forums, met with elected officials, and garnered the support of allies far and wide. But most importantly, they’ve proven that when we fight, we win!
BronxCare Nurses March on the Boss, Demand They Respect Arbitrator Award!
After management violated our contract and failed to implement an arbitrator’s decision, NYSNA nurses at BronxCare have decided enough is enough! On Monday, Aug. 4, 35 BronxCare nurses marched on the chief nursing officer’s office to deliver a majority petition demanding that the hospital honor an arbitrator’s award to pay the nurses the paid time off (PTO) they earned. Nurses are outraged that the hospital administration isn’t implementing an arbitrator’s decision that upholds NYSNA contract language on PTO accruals. The nursing vice president received the petition but wouldn’t commit to action. Joanne Popotte, NYSNA Local Bargaining Unit chair at the facility, responded by reminding administration, “We’re not going to stop until we get justice.”
Way to go, BronxCare nurses!
H+H Nurses Continue to Meet With City Council Member to Advocate for Fair Sick Leave Policy
This week, NYSNA nurses at New York City Health+ Hospitals (H+H) continued to advocate for a fair sick leave policy in meetings with City Council Member Rita Joseph and Council Member Gale Brewer, the sponsor of the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law) in New York City. Nurses, including NYC H+H/Lincoln nurse and NYSNA Director-at-Large Sonia Lawrence, BSN,RN, are asking council members to pressure H+H to reverse its latest interpretation of the policy, which nurses assert forces them to work sick. They will continue to meet with additional council members next week. Nurses are also continuing a call-in campaign targeting American Nurses Credentialing Center credential administrators to tell them that H+H should not get a Pathway to Excellence designation if it refuses to listen to nurses. Check out this flyer for details on how you can take action to support H+H nurses. It’s time for H+H to do the right thing to maintain a healthy workplace for nurses, our patients and the public.