MASSENA – The Massena Memorial Hospital Board of Managers has announced the joint ratification of a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with the New York State Nurses Association and its 106 members at the hospital.

The board approved the package at their July meeting Monday night. The nurses working at the hospital ratified the agreement on Friday, Aug. 17.

The agreement represents a five percent increase to wages and benefits throughout the duration of the contract. The nurses will receive a one percent increase the first year, two percent the second year, and two percent the third year;. Each full time nurse will receive a $600 ratification incentive, and part-time RNs will receive a prorated ratification incentive.

“We acknowledge the value of these healthcare professionals at a time when there is a continuous shortage of experienced Registered Nurses,” said Charles F. Fahd, II, Chief Executive Officer. “We are very pleased with the final outcome of the negotiation sessions with our RN union team, management, and the Hospital Personnel Committee..”

Other benefits within the agreement include on-call pay, health insurance changes, a per diem differential and an education differential.

The total increase cost of the three-year term of the contract is valued at over $750,000.

NYSNA Bargaining team members included Ward, Cathy Thomas, R.N., Val Skomsky, R.N., Bobbi Jo Lauber, R.N., Krista Cecot, R.N., and NYSNA Labor Representative Annie Rutsky.

Representing the hospital were Fahd, Beaulieu, Dorothy, Sean Curtin, Chief Financial Officer, Mark Brouillette, Senior Director of Ancillary Services, Tina Corcoran, Senior Director of Public Relations/Planning, Zach Chapman, Senior Director Practice Management and Labor Attorney Laurie Johnston.