What We Learned from Nurses’ Victory at NYP-Hudson Valley Hospital

The 250 nurses who won their first contract at NYP-Hudson Valley Hospital (HVH) last week proved a few things.

They proved that when nurses fight, we win. HVH leveraged the massive resources of the NY-Presbyterian system against the union for more than three years until the recent contract victory. Nurses' resilience, courage, and conviction that they and their patients deserved more all overcame the long anti-union campaign. The bosses have deep pockets, but we have unity and nurse power.

HVH nurses proved that when nurses have a voice on the job, it makes a difference. By organizing and speaking out, they won concrete policies to improve staffing, retention raises to keep nurses at the bedside, ironclad job protections, improved vacation benefits, and a guarantee there will be no cost increases to health, retirement, family leave and other benefits. Hospital management did not give up these things without a fight.

They proved that nurses' working conditions are patients' care conditions. By winning Staffing and Professional Practice Committees, a nurse float pool, policies to improve staff retention, and more, HVH nurses have more tools than ever to champion patient safety and quality care.

As Renee Mauro, RN, 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.”

For the NYSNA nurses at Hudson Valley Hospital, winning their first contract was an important step in turning the page for better conditions and a more equitable relationship with hospital administration.

“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.”

HVH nurses know that ratifying a first contract does not mean the hard work is over—this is only the beginning. By winning a strong first contract, nurses laid the foundation for effectively addressing problems and improving patient care now—and for years down the line. When nurses unite, we have power.