Albany Med, NYSNA nurses rally support with picket

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Nurses at Albany Med are demanding a fair contract from the healthcare provider. At the most recent picket they were joined by dozens of allies from the community, and even healthcare workers from around the region.

Albany Med nurses have been working without a contract since August 1. Kathy Whalen has been an Albany Med nurse for 44 years. 

“This is Albany Medical Center, the tertiary care center for 25 counties in New York state. People come here from all over New York, including Syracuse, Adirondack Medical like you’ve heard,” said Whalen.

She said the administration has no excuse for what they’re doing. 

“Safe staffing ratios are an issue that the hospital and NYSNA nurses just can’t agree on,” said Tonia Bazel.

They can agree on what those ratios are, but Bazel said with one major caveat.

“They just don’t agree to make those numbers a reality,” said Bazel.

Bill Schneider traveled down to Albany from the Adirondack Medical Health Center. 

“Albany Med plays a huge role in north country healthcare. You guys are the only level one trauma center between Westchester and the Canadian border,” said Schneider. 

Schneider is the second vice president at NYSNA. He emphasized the importance of Albany Med nurses up north.

“We have very complicated cases out of Adirondack Medical Center and we ship them down to you for care, so it’s important that you guys are here for the whole north country,” said Schneider. “We need Albany Med to staff your place correctly so you can deliver safe care and quality care to north country residents.”

“We need to do better. As you heard from Bill Schneider, what’s going on at Albany Med impacts his hospital in the north country nearly 3 hours away,” said Whalen.

In a statement Albany Med said it presented more than 20 proposals in over 14 negotiating sessions, adding "We never stop advocating for our nurses and advancing policies that respect their work and dedication."

The message was loud and clear from the picket, NYSNA nurses – from around the region – want Albany Med management to negotiate a fair contract with the union.

Again, those nurses have been working without a contract for about a month, freezing pay rates even for those due for a raise.