MASSENA -- Massena Memorial Hospital officials say members of the New York State Nurses Association union have ratified a new one-year collective bargaining agreement with the hospital.

The MMH Board of Managers is expected to vote on the agreement at their next board meeting on Dec. 17. The local registered nurses, working at the hospital, ratified the agreement on Wednesday, Nov. 28, MMH said.

The agreement, which affects 97 registered professional nurses at Massena Memorial Hospital, represents a 2 percent increase to wages and benefits, throughout the duration of the contract.

Other benefits within the year agreement include updated health insurance rates, establishing a sign-on bonus and employee referral program, change method of payment of education differential and to update the seniority list every six months in place of annually. The total increase cost of the year term of the contract is valued at over $124,000, MMH said.

NYSNA bargaining team members included Casey Paquin, Pamela Marin, Meghan Carr, Reagan Burns, Joann Brand, Janine Harrigan-Pierce, President, and NYSNA labor representative Bill Boydston.

Representing the hospital were: North, senior director of human resources Joann Ellis, Pat CFO Facteau and labor attorney Larry Malfitano.

“We acknowledge the value of these healthcare professionals at a time when there is a continuous shortage of experienced Registered Nurses,” Chuck Gijanto, MMH CEO, said in a prepared statement. “We are very pleased with the final outcome of the negotiation sessions with our RN union team and management. All worked hard to arrive at a fair and equitable agreement. We look forward to working with our nurses with this contract.”

“I am very pleased we were able to reach an agreement with the RNs which will ensure that MMH retains an excellent nursing staff. MMH has highly qualified and dedicated nursing team. We have been working together to create a new work environment to ensure both an emotional and physical wellness. We are well on our way with an open and friendly balance,” Ralene North, MMH chief nurse executive, said in a prepared statement. “Our nurses are caring and compassionate and I believe Massena Memorial Hospital has the best nursing staff in the North Country.”

North also noted she wanted to thank the nurses for their ideas on recruitment and retention efforts, according to a news release.