H.V. Hospital Approved their First Union Contract

CORTLANDT MANOR – Approximately 250 new members of the New York State Nurses Association at NYP-Hudson Valley Hospital concluded voting to ratify their first union contract last Tuesday. The members voted overwhelmingly to approve their contract at the 128-bed hospital, part of the New York-Presbyterian Hospital network.

The nurses have spent approximately three years organizing and negotiating their first contract. On Tuesday night, the nurses prevailed, winning safe staffing standards, significant wage increases, and union rights. According to poll results, 97 percent of the members voted in favor of the collective bargaining agreement.

“I am so proud of the caring, commitment and perseverance of my fellow nurses,” said Lorraine Fontana, RN. “This first contract lays a solid foundation for us to build a strong union that will improve our working conditions and patient care conditions at Hudson Valley Hospital for years to come.”

Highlights of the new contract include:
* A Staffing Committee to establish unit-based staffing guidelines for patient care.
* A Professional Practice Committee for nurses to address staffing and practice concerns directly with nursing management.
* A float pool to improve staffing throughout the hospital.
* A new wage scale and hiring grid to eliminate unequal pay for equal work.
* Annual 3% retention raises including a 3% across the board retroactive increase.
* Additional vacation and holiday benefits.
* Increased tuition reimbursement.
* Preservation of health, retirement, and other benefits with a guarantee of no cost increases.
* A formalized grievance procedure and job protections.

Registered Nurse Renee Mauro said, “The nurses at Hudson Valley Hospital are dedicated to taking care of our community, and this union contract was a result of us uniting as a community. We are looking forward to having a stronger voice on the job to advocate for our patients.”