Press Release

Ellis' commitment to our community and nurses during contract talks

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

A statement on negotiations with the nurses' union, and talk of strike

As Ellis Medicine continues its ongoing contract negotiations with the nurses’ union, we would like underscore that our top priority is the health and well-being of our patients and community. Furthermore, we recognize the vital role all our employees play in the delivery of quality health care.

First and foremost, we want to clarify that there has been no official strike notice from the union, and we remain actively engaged in bargaining in good faith. We are confident in our negotiation team and believe that our nurses are equally committed to reaching a fair and sustainable agreement.

While avoiding a strike is our preferred outcome, Ellis Medicine does have robust contingency plans in place to ensure safe access to care. We are fully prepared to continue providing uninterrupted, compassionate care.

Furthermore, we remain committed to safe staffing levels despite the challenges posed by the national nursing shortage. The union's claims to the contrary are not accurate. In fact, a recent ruling by a third-party arbitrator recognized the hospital’s extraordinary efforts to improve staffing levels through proactive recruiting, extra pay and bonuses, and supplemental staffing.

Ellis Medicine is proud to be a market leader in nursing pay and benefits. Our proposals before the union build on our established benchmarks, continuing our tradition as a supportive and rewarding workplace for dedicated nurses. This commitment was reflected in our ability to hire more than 200 nurses in the past two years, the return of 50 former Ellis nurses over the past 18 months, and a near 40% drop in nursing turnover since 2021.

We do not believe that a strike benefits anyone, least of all our community. We trust that our nurses want an agreement that is both fair and responsible. Our goal is to achieve a contract that balances the financial realities of today’s challenging healthcare environment while maintaining competitive and fair benefits and compensation.

 

Ellis Medicine | Newsroom

Ellis Medicine Media Inquiries

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All official communications regarding Ellis Medicine are arranged through the Communications Department. We look forward to working with members of the public and media organizations to provide accurate, up-to-date information about Ellis Medicine.

Contact:

Communications
Ellis Medicine
1101 Nott Street
Schenectady, NY 12308
518.232.9288