The New York State Nurses Association and Erie County Medical Center Corporation (ECMCC) recently announced ratification of a new, four-year contract between the union and ECMCC. The ratification vote took place Aug. 28-29 and the ECMCC board of directors unanimously approved the new contract Aug. 30.
“This contract is a huge win for the patients of the Erie County Medical Center, and the nurses who work day and night to care for the community,” said Chiqkena Collins, a registered nurse and a member of NYSNA. “The agreement ensures fair wages and benefits as well as it gives the nurses a significant role in staffing decisions. We commend hospital management for their partnership in negotiating this contract.”
ECMCC President and CEO Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., Ph.D. said, “Thanks to the leadership and advocacy of NYSNA representatives and the hard work of ECMCC’s negotiation team, this four-year contract provides our exceptional nurses with competitive wages and incentives that will enhance our ability to recruit in the marketplace, while continuing ECMCC’s financial stability and growth. Most importantly, both NYSNA and ECMCC focused throughout the negotiations on providing increased staffing, which will ultimately benefit our patients.”
Some highlights of this contract include:
• Four year contract with 3% wage increases each year.
• Maintains current healthcare coverage with a 15% contribution.
• Addition of 45 new nursing positions with a structure to give NYSNA input into staffing units throughout the hospital.