100% of Ellis Hospital and Bellevue Woman’s Center Nurses Vote Yes to Ratify New Contract

Ellis Medicine nurses voted in favor of deal that defends safe staffing standards and includes higher wages and recruitment and retention incentives

Schenectady, N.Y.– New York State Nurses Association (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. 100% of nurses voted in favor of ratification, averting a potential strike.

The contract, which extends to February 2027, includes a 13.25% wage increase across the board on top of ratification bonuses and recruitment and retention incentives to keep nurses caring for capital region patients. These incentives include extra shift bonuses and longevity bonuses to maintain experienced nurses at the bedside.  Nurses successfully rejected givebacks that would have elongated their workday without additional pay, as well as rejected an increase to health insurance costs and other givebacks proposed by Ellis management. Most importantly, nurses held the line on safe staffing standards to protect patients and ensure quality care. 

NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN, said, “I am so proud of this deal that nurses won to protect care for capital region region patients. Ellis and Bellevue nurses have shown once again that when nurses stay united for our patients, and organize with their community for support, they can win big for our patients and our profession.”

“This contract victory is a victory not only for nurses, but for our capital region patients,” said Cathy Dawson, RN, NYSNA Board of Directors member and OR nurse at Ellis Hospital. “We gained provisions that will allow Ellis to recruit and retain nurses in the capital region and held the line by rejecting demands to do more with less.”

Christine Walthers, RN, nurse and union leader at Bellevue Women’s Center said, “We never wavered in our goal of winning a contract that guaranteed patient safety and quality care for our community. This victory reflects the coming together of nurses, patients, and community members to defend quality care for patients in the capital region and ensure the future of the nursing profession.”

The contract ratification comes two weeks after 94 percent of Ellis Hospital and Bellevue Woman’s Center nurses voted to authorize an unfair labor practice strike. This contract settlement averts the possible strike. Throughout their campaign, the over 600 nurses who work at Ellis Medicine gained widespread support. Dozens of elected leaders, labor unions, and community organizations signed a letter calling on Ellis management to settle a fair contract with nurses.