NYSNA members at Ellis Medicine, which includes Ellis Hospital and Bellevue Woman’s Center, have voted in favor of ratifying a new contract with Ellis Medicine. With nurses voting 100% in favor of ratification, averting a potential strike.

The contract includes across-the-board wage increases on top of ratification bonuses and recruitment and retention incentives to keep nurses caring for capital region patients, like extra shift bonuses and longevity bonuses to maintain experienced nurses at the bedside. Nurses successfully rejected proposals that would have elongated their workday without additional pay, increased health insurance costs and other givebacks that Ellis management proposed. Most importantly, nurses held the line on safe staffing standards to protect patients and ensure quality care.

The contract ratification comes after 94% of Ellis/Bellevue nurses voted to authorize an unfair labor practice strike and after Ellis nurses won a landmark staffing arbitration with financial penalties, affirming how critical it was to maintain staffing ratios and enforcement language.

Throughout their campaign, the over 600 nurses who work for Ellis Medicine gained widespread community support. Dozens of elected leaders, labor unions, and community organizations signed a letter calling on Ellis management to settle a fair contract with nurses.

Congratulations, Ellis/Bellevue nurses, on this victory for nurses and patients in the capital region!