Nurses Association and Staff Union Reach Agreement

Tentative Agreement Ends Strike Threat

ALBANY, N.Y., May 9, 2011, /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) is pleased to announce it has reached a tentative agreement with the union representing its field staff, forestalling the union's plans to strike. The association, a mediator, and the United Steelworkers negotiating team representing approximately 60 NYSNA Economic & General Welfare program field staff met for a marathon bargaining session over the weekend.

"I am pleased to announce a tentative agreement that we believe meets the needs of our staff and reflects the values of fairness, equity and fiscal responsibility that have been the hallmarks of our negotiation strategy," said Nurses Association CEO Tina Gerardi, MS, RN, CAE. "Now, all of the association's energy can return to representing our members and promoting issues of importance to the profession of nursing."

It is expected that the association staff represented by USW will take a ratification vote on Tuesday, May 10.

The Nurses Association has been negotiating a first contract for the past nine months with the United Steelworkers (USW), which represents field staff in the Economic & General Welfare (E&GW) program. E&GW is the Nurses Association's union arm, serving about 36,000 registered nurses and some other healthcare professionals represented for collective bargaining purposes at hospitals and other healthcare facilities around the state.

The contract includes a compensatory time provision that was a major issue for the USW staff and salary adjustments that fall within the association's revenue projections for the next three years, which was a major issue for the association.

"As responsible stewards of our members' money, we feel that this contract is fair and reasonable," Gerardi said. "We appreciate the efforts of the federal mediator, Commissioner Cynthia Jeffries, for assisting us with this very important work. I would like to thank all the parties involved for their perseverance, for working until we had a contract with the interests of our members at the core of the settlement."

The New York State Nurses Association is the voice for nursing in the Empire State. With more than 37,000 members, it is New York's largest professional association and union for registered nurses. The association represents registered nurses, and some all-professional bargaining units, in New York and New Jersey. It supports nurses and nursing practice through education, research, legislative advocacy, and collective bargaining.

SOURCE New York State Nurses Association

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