MASSENA — After announcing at the July board meeting that the management had agreed to a proposal with the registered nurses’ bargaining unit, Massena Memorial Hospital CEO Charles F. Fahd II announced the nurses have also agreed to it, giving them a new three-year contract.

According to a released statement from the hospital following the board of trustees meeting Tuesday evening, the New York State Nurses Association voted to ratify the agreement Friday.

Tina R. Corcoran, senior director of public relations and planning, said the contract affects 106 registered nurses working at the hospital and over the life of the deal the nurses will get a 5 percent increase in wages and benefits.

“The registered nurses will receive a 1 percent increase the first year, 2 percent the second year and 2 percent the third year,” she said. “Additionally, each full-time registered nurse will receive a $600 ratification incentive.”

Part-time nurses will also receive an incentive; however, that will be prorated based on the number of hours they work.

Union President Joseph Ward said the deal was approved by a wide margin.

“On Aug. 16 and 17, the NYSNA membership voted to ratify the contract overwhelmingly,” he said. “We are pleased with the terms and satisfied with the outcome.”

Chief Nurse Executive Susan Beaulieu also voiced her happiness with the deal.

“I am very pleased we were able to reach an agreement with the RNs, which will ensure that MMH maintains an excellent nursing staff. MMH has high-quality dedicated nursing staff throughout the units,” she said. “Our nurses are caring and compassionate and I truly believe Massena Memorial Hospital has the best nursing staff in the north country.”

Other benefits are on-call pay, health insurance changes, a per-diem differential and an education differential.

Ms. Corcoran said the total increase in the hospital’s costs over the course of the deal is slightly more than $750,000.

Speaking through the released statement, several hospital officials praised the ratification.

“After several negotiating sessions, we are pleased to have reached an agreement,” said Senior Director of Human Resources Jonnie Dorothy. “We are satisfied with the end result and look forward to working together to further enhance the care we give to our patients.”

Mr. Fahd echoed those sentiments.

“We acknowledge the value of these health care professionals at a time when there is a continuous shortage of registered nurses,” he said.

Mr. Fahd said the final contract resulted from the hard work of many.

“We are very pleased with the final outcome of the negotiation sessions with our RN union team, management and the hospital personnel committee. All worked hard to arrive at a fair and equitable agreement.”

Representing the nurses at the bargaining table were registered nurses Mr. Ward, Cathy Thomas, Val Skomsky, Bobbi Jo Lauber and Krista Cecot, as well as NYSNA labor representative Annie Rutsky.

The hospital’s representatives were Mr. Fahd, Mrs. Beaulieu, Ms. Dorothy, Chief Financial Officer Sean Curtain, Senior Director of Ancillary Services Mark Brouillette, Ms. Corcoran, Senior Director of Practice Management Zach Chapman and labor attorney Laurie Johnston.

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