Nurses’ union argues Albany Med is ignoring their concerns
Contract negotiations are still underway between Albany Medical Center and the nurses’ union. Bargaining has been ongoing since April.
The nurses have been without a contract for about six months. They’re asking the hospital for safe staffing, fair wages and benefits, and a union voice.
The nurses’ union emailed NewsChannel 13 wanting to provide us with nurses who they say are “desperate to share their experience” as the negotiations drag on.
Nurses who oppose the contract and are not at the bargaining table are speaking out for the first time. Up until this point, the union has only provided interviews with nurses who are part of the negotiations.
The latest offer earlier this month was rejected by the nurses’ union. That contract was called the “last, best and final” offer by Albany Medical Center’s CEO, Dr. Dennis McKenna. Since an agreement hasn’t been reached, Albany Med takes certain offers away. At this point, it means retro pay will need to be negotiated.
Meanwhile, Albany Med remains safely staffed, McKenna said.
Hear why some nurses say that’s not the case, by watching the video of Tessa Bentulan’s story.
Albany Med released this statement:
“Our proposal is a clear demonstration that we have been listening to our nurses all along. We are safely staffed. The proposal respects our ongoing commitment to quality care and the unanimously approved staffing plans made by our clinical staffing committee. The pay increases we are offering are generous, competitive, and will allow us to grow our team even more. Contrary to their own statements, the union does not appear to be listening. Instead of putting our contract proposal to a vote, NYSNA has chosen to deny our nurses the opportunity to collect the raises they have earned. NYSNA still wants to collect dues from every nurse whether they want to be in the union or not. Those choices should belong to our nurses and not a third-party. They are rights Albany Med will continue to protect.”