ALBANY — Albany Medical Center and the New York State Nurses Association said they have reached a new contract that will include a significant pay boost for full-time nurses at the hospital, putting an end to a long-running contract dispute over hospital pay and staffing conditions.
Both hospital executives and union representatives expressed optimism on Wednesday that the four-year contract will significantly improve staff morale in the years to come. Under the terms of the agreement — which appear to be among the most lucrative in the region — the starting hourly pay for most nurses will increase from $33 to $40.
Current employees will receive raises of at least 13% to 17%, and additional increases are expected over the next two years, according to Albany Medical Center CEO Dr. Dennis McKenna and labor union leaders…