FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 30, 2021
Contact: Kristi Barnes | kristi.barnes@nysna.org | 646-853-4489

NYSNA and Albany Medical Center reach agreement on first union contract for nearly 2,000 nurses at the hospital

Members voting today, tomorrow on historic contract that delivers safe staffing and a voice in patient care

New York, NY - After a hard-fought organizing and first contract campaign, NYSNA is excited that our members at Albany Medical Center will finally have a strong contract offer to vote on that respects nurses and our voice on patient care.

We congratulate every nurse at Albany Med, who persisted in strengthening the union and fighting for a fair union contract in the face of so many obstacles, including the COVID-19 pandemic. We are incredibly thankful for the support we received along the way from our patients, community, faith, labor and elected supporters, who joined us in solidarity. NYSNA believes a strong union contract that gives nurses a voice is essential in providing safe, quality care to our patients and community.

NYSNA and AMC Representatives negotiated a first contract that includes safe staffing grids, a greater voice in patient care and work roles, and a strong economic package. Securing a binding union contract will end Albany Med management’s unilateral decision making and secure workers’ rights. The staffing grid that was negotiated outlines safe staffing numbers for every unit in the facility and will serve as a template for all future staffing negotiations under the new hospital staffing committee law that NYSNA championed.

Albany Med nurses are voting on whether to accept the contract today and all day tomorrow. NYSNA anticipates the results of the vote at 9:30 PM on Thursday, July 1. We look forward to sharing more details of the agreement after our members have had a chance to review and vote on the contract.

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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 nysna.org.