Members of the New York State Nurses Association have approved a new four-year labor contract with Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center.
The contract covers approximately 1,600 nurses at the hospital, as well as incoming nurses who will fill vacancies, according to an Aug. 5 union news release.
According to both parties, the agreement includes:
- A 21% increase to starting wages from $33 to $40 per hour
- An increase to the rate of pay for current nurses of 13% to 17%, with most wages increasing by 17%
- Additional pay increases over the next two years
- Enhanced incentives for union members who work specific shifts or hold mentorship roles
- A $2,000 referral bonus and increases to continuing education and tuition reimbursement benefits
- A standard vacation scheduling policy
Jennifer Bejo, RN, local union president at Albany Med, said in the release, “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.”
“Our goal has always been a new contract that is best for our nurses and advances our ability to provide safe, quality patient care,” Albany Med Health System President and CEO Dennis McKenna, MD, said in a statement shared with Becker’s. “This contract reflects the respect and admiration that our nurses earn every day.”
Albany Medical College is an academic health sciences center and incorporates the 766-bed Albany Medical Center hospital.
