1199SEIU and Memorial Registered Nurses Approve New Three-Year Contract

Members of the 1199SEIU Registered Nurse bargaining unit approved a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center in balloting on February 4.

The agreement covers 260 RNs and will be in effect until December 2012. Depending on their length of service, covered employees will see annual wage increases ranging from 3.5 to 6.5 percent in the first year, and 2-2.5 percent in years two and three.

“In spite of the bad economy and financial pressures on our hospital, we made substantial progress that will allow us to continue quality care and values the hard work of our nurses,” Linda Shamrock, a Registered Nurse for 29 years at Memorial.

Noting the contract ratification, Memorial’s CEO, Joseph A. Ruffolo said, “Registered Professional Nurses are a vital component of our workforce … we clearly value and appreciate their dedication and commitment to providing the highest quality of care.”

In December, members of two other bargaining units covering service and maintenance employees and licensed practical nurses and technicians, also represented by 1199SEIU, approved new three-year deals with the Center.