(PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK) - New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) Nurses and Health Care Professionals at University of Vermont Health-Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (UVMH-CVPH) have voted overwhelmingly (by 97%) to ratify a new four-year contract.

This victory comes after nearly a year at the bargaining table, an informational picket and a marathon 24-hour bargaining session (on October 15th and the 16th) where NYSNA Nurses and Health Care Professionals were able to reach a tentative agreement with management.  

Highlights of the contract include: Safe staffing improvements, including a Staffing Committee to monitor clinical areas not included in the Staffing Law and an enforceable Staffing Policy for when there is a persistent failure to staff Units according to the Staffing Plan submitted to New York State; Fair wages to help recruit and retain Nurses and Health Care Professionals for safe staffing, including yearly wage increases of 3%, retroactive to January 2026; An additional pay step to encourage staff retention; Improved protections against workplace violence, including paid time off for recovery and a commitment to install a Weapons Detection System; New protections against Artificial Intelligence (AI); Stronger layoff protections; and Maintained health benefits.

Securing enforceable safe staffing language was a priority for Nurses and Health Care Professionals during this contract fight.

Over the last year, Nurses and Health Care Professionals have held numerous speak-outs at the Hospital, demanding CVPH management take accountability for consistent understaffing.

After little movement from management, NYSNA Members held an informational picket in May, alongside Elected Officials and community members, to reiterate their demands for safe staffing.  

NYSNA President Nancy Hagans said: “North Country Nurses are showing up and getting the job done, winning great contracts that protect quality patient care and deliver good Union jobs with good benefits to their communities. This is a critical time when more and more of our community members are losing their health care coverage due to Federal health care funding cuts. NYSNA is proud to see our Members fight to preserve access to quality care in every part of our State.”

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