The union representing the nurses at Albany Medical Center will reject the hospital’s final contract offer.

Dr. Dennis McKenna had presented what it called its “last, best and final offer” for a contract. The nurses had been without a contract for about six months. He said that if they did not accept the deal by 5 p.m. Monday, he would take retroactive pay off the table.

When asked if they would accept the offer, the New York State Nurses Association sent the following statement at 4:05 p.m.

“Albany Med nurses refuse to be bullied into accepting Dr. McKenna’s so-called ‘final offer’ ultimatum. It does not do nearly enough to guarantee safe staffing, fair wages and benefits, and a union voice. Nurses want to settle a fair contract that protects patient care as soon as possible. We are still understaffed and our patients are still waiting too long for care. We demand that Albany Med executives stop the stunts and negotiate a fair contract that nurses and patients of this community deserve.”

Hospital spokesman Matt Markham said Albany Med is disappointed in their decision.

“Many nurses have told us that they supported our contract proposal and wanted the right to vote on it and move forward. It is unfortunate that the union did not listen. We will continue to listen to our nurses and advocate for them as we always have.

The hospital plans to meet with the media on Tuesday to discuss this further.