Following the New York State Nurses Union’s rejection of what the hospital claims was their best and final contract offer, the CEO of Albany Medical Center is retaliating. According to the hospital, the offer, which would have included retroactive compensation back to August 1, is no longer available.
For the past six months or so, the nurses have been without a contract. They stated that they are requesting safe staffing, equitable pay and benefits, and a union voice from the hospital.
McKenna wants to increase nurses’ beginning pay from $33 to $37.50 per hour, with rises of more than $40 per hour to follow over the next three years.
They are deserving of that raise. I’d like to give them one. However, McKenna stated on Tuesday morning that the union lacked the civility to even let that proposition be put to a vote.
The proposal, according to the nurses’ union, falls short in ensuring safe staffing and reducing patient care wait times.
Earlier this week, the union issued a statement saying, “We demand that Albany Med executives stop the stunts and negotiate a fair contract that nurses and patients of this community deserve.”
According to McKenna, numerous nurses have informed him that when they email the union, they do not receive a response.
Our nurses have always come first at Albany Med. We will continue to listen to our nurses as we have in the past. “I heard them last night, and I can tell you that they are really angry with the union that is supposed to represent them here at Albany Med,” he said. The union’s refusal to even present our proposition for a vote has greatly disappointed them. The union’s only goal is to enrich itself by collecting dues from members and forcing all medical nurses to automatically enlist and pay dues whether they want to or not.
NYSNA’s allegations that the new contract was hurting staffing levels were refuted by McKenna.
More nurses have been hired and retained this year than the union wants to discuss. 250+ hires. Our hospital is securely staffed, and we have expanded and improved our programs with all of the nursing schools in the area just this year. According to him, it has always been for a while.
To ensure safe personnel, equitable pay and benefits, and a union voice, it falls far short. Nurses want to quickly settle a fair contract that safeguards patient care. Our patients continue to wait too long for care, and we continue to have a shortage of staff. “We insist that Albany Med executives put an end to the gimmicks and negotiate a fair contract that this community’s nurses and patients deserve,” McKenna stated.
According to McKenna, the Department of Health recently visited Albany Med and found no issues with their emergency room.
According to McKenna, trust must be earned with objective, searchable information.
Our nurses must be heard by NYSNA. This deal is what our nurses desire. “They wish to proceed,” he stated.
NewsChannel 13’s A comprehensive report on McKenna’s remarks will be available on WNYT.com and Live at 4 p.m. by Tessa Bentulan.