Members of the New York State Nurses Association have ratified a new labor contract with Mohawk Valley Health System’s Wynn Hospital in Utica, according to a March 27 union news release shared with Becker’s.
The union, which represents 650 nurses at the hospital, said members voted overwhelmingly to approve the deal announced earlier in the week.
According to the NYSNA, the agreement includes:
- Across-the-board raises between 13.9% and 21% over three years, with retroactive pay to Jan. 1, 2025, plus additional increases for experienced nurses.
- The ability to appeal staffing violations to a third-party mediator if needed.
- Break coverage provisions to ensure safe staffing.
- Reduced costs for health insurance.
“We are confident that the staffing improvements, along with important wage increases and lowered insurance costs, will help MVHS-Wynn Hospital recruit and retain nurses to ensure that Utica patients receive the best care possible,” Sheila Conley, RN, ICU nurse and local union president, said in a statement shared with Becker’s. “Nurses are pleased that we were able to work with management on a contract that represents a good start to addressing the needs of patients and making this hospital the resource it should be for our community.”
“We are thrilled to have reached this agreement, which we believe offers competitive benefits and opportunities for our nurses,” Darlene Stromstad, president and CEO of MVHS, said in a statement shared with Becker’s. “This contract will support our ongoing efforts to recruit and retain top nursing talent while ensuring the highest quality care for our patients. This is a historic milestone for our organization. It reflects our collective progress as we move forward together in the Wynn Hospital and across our community sites.”
The agreement runs through Dec. 31, 2027.
