FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 15, 2017

CONTACT:

Laura Montross

lmontross@kivvit.com

(508) 769-5942

Carmel, NY --- The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) announced today that the registered nurses at Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel have voted by an overwhelming majority to be represented by NYSNA.

Ballots were cast by the 266 nurses who were eligible to vote in the election which was administered by the National Labor Relations Board. The ballots were counted on Thursday, December 14, 2017. A bargaining committee of nurses will be elected immediately to start contract negotiations with hospital management.

Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel is part of the Health Quest network of hospitals, which includes Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, NY, and Sharon Hospital in Sharon, CT. Approximately 800 nurses at Vassar Brothers Medical Center are already represented by NYSNA.

“We have many nurses who have devoted many years of their nursing careers to Putnam Hospital. We also have many newer, younger nurses who will hopefully do the same. As the Health Quest corporation continues to grow and expand its ability to deliver high quality patient care to the community, it’s only fair that nurses have the ability to unite together and negotiate in the decisions that will impact our future,” said Colleen Leo, RN, Intensive Care Unit.

"We have a great group of nurses at Putnam Hospital and it's about time we had a voice in our own future. We work hard and deserve a seat at the table where decisions are made that will affect patient care, as well as how we are able to provide for our families," said Mike Chitty, RN, Behavior Health Unit.

Last night’s vote regarding representation comes on the heels of NYSNA members ratifying dozens of contracts at hospitals across the state over the last two years. Those contract ratifications include upstate hospitals such as Nathan Littauer in Gloversville, Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown and St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica as well as downstate hospitals such as New York Presbyterian Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, and Maimonides Medical Center.

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The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) represents more than 42,000 members in New York State. We are New York’s largest union and professional association for registered nurses. For more information, please visit our website at www.nysna.org.