(ALBANY, NEW YORK) - Nearly two weeks since Albany Med received the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)’s Staffing Deficiency Report - and nearly six weeks after contract expiration, New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA)-represented Nurses held a press conference to discuss the staffing crisis that management refuses to address.

Albany Med canceled bargaining originally scheduled for September 10th and continues to avoid making substantive progress toward addressing the hospital’s safe staffing issues, NYSNA Representatives sad.

Albany Med Registered Nurse Jenn Bejo said, “We fought for and won Safe Staffing Standards, which apply to hospitals across the State.  These are rules the NYSDOH has made to ensure that when a patient goes to a hospital, they are able to be seen in a safe and timely manner - but the rule of law only matters if hospitals follow the law.  And Albany Med seems to believe they are above the law.”

NYSDOH Investigators continue to be a presence at Albany Med after delivering the Staffing Deficiency Report to Albany Med, Union Officials said.

The hospital has 45 days after receipt of the report to develop a plan and should work with the Staffing Committee to correct deficiencies, NYSNA said.

While management has refused to share the report with Nurses - as required by law, Nurses who have filed staffing complaints with the state have received letters that substantiate more than 50 violations, Union Officials said.

Earlier this month, NYSNA filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) Charge for the hospital’s failure to provide NYSNA-represented Nurses with the NYSDOH’s report.

Albany Med cites the NYSDOH’s “continued presence” as the reason they had to delay bargaining.

While the hospital says the NYS DOH has supposedly “consumed everyone’s time and focus,” Albany Med continues to violate the State Law’s Safe Staffing Ratios, as substantiated in the complaints that have been made since the NYSDOH’s original investigation in June, Union Officials said.

These legal violations are a near daily occurrence in the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center, serving the sickest and most vulnerable patients from counties that span into Vermont and Massachusetts, Union Officials added.

NYSNA Nurses are urging Albany Med Administrators to come to the bargaining table and settle a fair contract with a comprehensive plan to recruit, retain and respect Nurses in order to solve the Nurse staffing crisis at the hospital and ensure quality care for the community.

NYSNA President Nancy Hagans said: “Many of these violations have happened since the NYSDOH’s investigation began, showing the complete disregard Albany Med has for the law and patient safety.  While Albany Med continues to violate the law and put patients’ care at risk, Nurses have continued to advocate for improved staffing and patient care and have demanded they fix short staffing issues.  It’s time Albany Med be held accountable for their violations.”

To Read This Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: Instead of Settling Contract With Safe Staffing, Albany Med Cancels Negotiations Blaming 50+ DOH Violations | New York State Nurses Association (nysna.org)