(UTICA, NEW YORK) – New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA)-represented Nurses employed at Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS)/Wynn Hospital have reached a tentative contract agreement that covers 650 Nurses.

The agreement, which is being voted on by Nurses, includes stronger safe staffing enforcement, break coverage to ensure safe staffing at all times, wage increases, and reduced costs for health insurance.  

This is the first tentative agreement reached since the hospital moved to its new location over a year ago and Nurses from the former MVHS-St. Elizabeth Medical Center and MVHS-Faxton St. Luke’s merged into one Union - NYSNA.

This new agreement includes across-the-board raises between 13.9%-21% with retro pay to January 1st (2025) over the life of the contract, plus pay increases to retain highly-trained and experienced nurses.

For the first time, Nurses will now be able to appeal staffing violations to a third party mediator if the employer continues to violate agreed upon staffing plans, NYSNA said.

The staffing improvements, along with important wage increases and lowered insurance costs, will help MVHS-Wynn Hospital recruit and retain Nurses to ensure Utica patients receive the best care possible.

NYSNA President Nancy Hagans said: “Over the last few months, Nurses have been fighting for a contract that ensures the hospital have a plan to recruit and retain Nurses to ensure safe patient care. This contract is a win for Nurses and a win for the future of health care in Utica. Now we need the rest of Central New York to follow suit to ensure that all patients in New York receive the best care possible.”  

Registered Nurse and Local Union President Sheila Conley said: “Nurses are committed to this community. All we wanted in this contract was the ability to provide the best care possible. We have worked far too long with too many vacancies. Finally, we achieved what we set out to do - and more. We achieved a contract that will ensure Nurses will be able to provide the care this community deserves with safe staffing, higher wages and improved benefits.”

The new Wynn Hospital is a Regional Medical Center and the only option for patients in Utica and the surrounding area.  

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