NYSNA Nurses at Albany Med Ratify New Contract by Overwhelming Majority
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025
Contact: Kristi Barnes | press@nysna.org | 646-853-4489
NYSNA Nurses at Albany Med Ratify New Contract by Overwhelming Majority
New four-year contract delivers enforceable safe staffing, major wage increases, and improved union protections that will make Albany Med the industry leader in the capital region.
Nurses celebrate contract victory after more than a year of bargaining and speaking out about safe staffing at the hospital.
Albany, N.Y. – New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) nurses at Albany Medical Center ratified a new four-year contract with 98% voting yes to ratify. Voting took place Aug. 4 and 5 and ended on Tuesday evening at 8 p.m. The contract will benefit approximately 1,600 nurses at the hospital, as well as incoming nurses that will fill vacancies.
Highlights of the tentative agreement include:
- Enforceable safe staffing standards updated annually that will protect safe patient care.
- Major wage increases that will make Albany Med the industry leader in the capital region and will help retain experienced nurses, including 16%-22% first-year wage increase upon ratification, market parity increases in 2 more years of the contract, additional 3% annual increases in the following years, and no wage caps for experienced nurses.
- New hiring and retention incentives, including a $2,000 referral bonus and increases to continuing education and tuition reimbursement benefits.
- Improved union voice and protections, including membership rights and better new hire orientation process.
Jennifer Bejo, RN, and local union president at Albany Med said, “This is a new day for nurses at Albany Medical Center. Union nurses showed what we can accomplish on behalf of our patients and colleagues when we work together and advocate. I am so proud of what we have achieved and feel hopeful that our new contract will help recruit and retain more nurses to improve staffing and patient care at Albany Med.”
Sam Oreshan, RN, said: “Nurses always advocate for our patients, and when our patients are NICU babies, nurses need to be their voice. My colleagues worked so hard to win safe staffing standards and stronger enforcement in this contract. These improvements will help ensure the safest conditions possible for our most vulnerable patients and for everyone who walks through Albany Med’s doors.”
Hannah Palmer, RN, said: “Being an emergency department nurse in a Level 1 Trauma Center can be intense and rewarding. No matter what the day brings, having enough trained and experienced nurses is essential to saving lives and helping our patients heal. I’m looking forward to this contract improving nurse retention and safe staffing, so we can deliver the best possible care to our patients.”
Jaimie Alaxanian, RN, said: “Albany Med nurses persevered and finally won the contract that nurses, patients and our community deserves. There is power in a union, and we will continue to build NYSNA power at Albany Med to guarantee a seat at the table and a strong nurse voice in patient care.”
NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN, said, “Albany Med plays a major role in healthcare in the capital region and beyond, and the hardworking Albany Med nurses finally have a contract that’s worthy of a regional academic medical center. They showed the entire state that when we fight, we win.”
NYSNA Executive Director Pat Kane, RN, CNOR, said, “NYSNA nurses at Albany Med fought hard for their community. Our heartfelt thanks go out to all our labor, community, faith and elected allies who stood alongside us for more than a year demanding safe staffing and a fair contract. Your solidarity was appreciated—and essential.”
“This is a phenomenal contract for NYSNA nurses at Albany Medical Center, a result of their unwavering dedication in the fight for an agreement that prioritizes quality patient care,” said Mario Cilento, president of the New York State AFL-CIO. “Their perseverance has not only secured them the respect they deserve in the workplace but also a promise to enhance patient safety through safe staffing. The entire Union Movement in New York State stood shoulder to shoulder with Albany Med nurses throughout this long and difficult fight. Under the steadfast leadership of NYSNA President Nancy Hagans and Executive Director Pat Kane, nurses prevailed. This victory, a testament to the power of worker solidarity, is a moment of triumph for all working people.”
Congress Member Paul Tonko said: “I’m proud to join NYSNA in celebrating this transformative agreement that will empower the dedicated nurses at Albany Med with the staffing, resources, and protections they need to continue delivering tireless, compassionate care across our Capital Region. Every day, our nurses do heroic work on the front lines of health care, and this contract honors their service with the respect and support they so deeply deserve. I commend all parties for coming together on a deal that puts nurses, patients, and our entire community first.”
New York State Assembly Member Phil Steck (110th AD), said: “The nurses at Albany Med deserve hearty congratulations for reaching a settlement with management. We live in a time when all power in society has been flowing to the top. The nurses at Albany Med have proven that, by sticking together, good, decent, hardworking people can win better lives for themselves and, in the case of health care, for their patients who are in fact our entire community.”
“Safe staffing saves lives—and when we support nurses, we support the entire community. As the father of a son with complex medical needs, I’ve seen firsthand the critical role nurses play in delivering quality care with compassion and professionalism,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara. “This agreement is not just a win for nurses—it’s a win for patients and families across the Capital Region. I applaud the NYSNA nurses for standing strong, advocating for what’s right, and helping make Albany Med a leader in healthcare. Let this serve as a model for what can be achieved when frontline workers have a seat at the table. Now it’s time to ratify this contract and move forward together.”
“Nurses play a vital role in our community and have long been at the forefront of advocating for meaningful change in the workplace. I’m so proud to see their tireless efforts reflected in this tentative agreement,” said Assemblymember Gabriella A. Romero (D,WF-Albany, Guilderland, New Scotland). “This marks meaningful progress in the ongoing effort to strengthen the future of Albany Med and reaffirms their commitment to partnering with nurses to ensure quality patient care. I remain deeply committed to ensuring fair working conditions and proudly stand as an advocate for NYSNA and the vital role this union plays in protecting healthcare workers and patients alike.”
The Reverend Peter Cook, Executive Director, New York State Council of Churches, said: “The New York State Council of Churches commends the nurses and administration of Albany Medical Center for approving a good contract that values the labor of nurses and underscores a commitment to providing excellent medical care to the people of the Capital Region. Well done!”
This is the second union contract that NYSNA nurses have negotiated with Albany Med.
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The New York State Nurses Association represents more than 42,000 members in New York State. We are New York’s largest union and professional association for registered nurses. NYSNA is an affiliate of National Nurses United, AFL-CIO, the country's largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses, with more than 225,000 members nationwide.