(ALBANY, NEW YORK) – Earlier this week (on Tuesday, August 20th), nearly three weeks after their contract expired on July 31st, New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA)-represented Nurses at Albany Medical Center held an informational picket and candlelight vigil to demand a fair contract from hospital management - and to bring attention to the safety issues that currently plague the hospital.

The Nurses’ Union contract expired on July 31st.

Nurses have pressed hospital management to continue bargaining with a mediator and they continue to work under the expired contract.

Although hospital management agreed to mediation, the first bargaining date they agreed to was nearly four weeks after the contract expired on August 26th.

Nurses have demanded the hospital return to the bargaining table and deliver a contract that will recruit and retain Nurses.

They maintain patient safety is at stake. 

Nurses were joined by community members, patients and elected leaders at the informational picket that was held outside the hospital. 

Also earlier this week, the Albany Common Council passed a resolution encouraging Albany Medical Center Administration to “respect Nurses and patients and settle a fair contract.” 

Albany Common Council Member Gabriella Romero said: “Nurses have been at the forefront of the fight for patient safety, speaking out to defend their patients’ safety when few others will. They deserve a contract that respects their work and ensures that patients get the care they need. I’m standing with them in their contract fight and demand that Albany Med take their patients’ safety as seriously as Nurses have.”  

Nurses and management are still far apart on key issues, including safe staffing and a plan to recruit and retain enough nurses for patient safety, said NYSNA Officials, who maintain contract negotiations must address turnover to ensure patient safety. 

NYSNA has already developed a safe staffing plan that Albany Med Administrators agreed to and submitted to the New York State Department of Health.

NYSNA Nurses want this plan to be enforceable in the contract.

NYSNA also wants a pay offer that addresses the Nurse staffing crisis that has left patients vulnerable after more Nurses leave the hospital than they can retain.

NYSNA also wants to include Union Rights in the contract.

Hospital Administrators do not. 

Albany Med Registered Nurse Tonia Bazel, who also serves on the NYSNA Executive Committee and as a Bargaining Committee Member, said: “We’re fighting for a contract that protects patients by keeping Nurses at the bedside with enforceable safe staffing ratios, fair pay, good benefits and a real voice in patient care.  If we want to retain nurses at Albany Med, hospital administrators need to show they value the work we do by showing us some respect.” 

NYSNA President Nancy Hagans said: "Nurses at Albany Med are tired of working understaffed because hospital administrators will not hire and retain enough Nurses for safe staffing.  Instead of supporting Nurses, management is trying to silence them.  As patient advocates, we will not be silenced.  We will continue to speak out until we win the fair contract that Nurses, patients and this community deserves." 

To Continue Reading This Labor News Report, Go To: Hundreds of Nurses To Hold Picket And Urge Albany Med To Deliver A Fair Contract To Improve Quality Care | New York State Nurses Association (nysna.org)

Rally Photo Courtesy Of NYSNA’s Facebook Page.