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Nurses at HealthAlliance Hospital in Kingston have overwhelmingly approved a new three-year labor contract that brings significant pay raises and enhanced workplace safety measures. The agreement, ratified on Monday (March 30), followed months of negotiations between the nurses—represented by the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA)—and hospital management after the previous contract expired in December 2025.
The contract grants wage increases ranging from 16 to 33 percent over the life of the agreement, bringing pay for HealthAlliance nurses in line with nearby hospitals, according to the Daily Freeman. The deal also introduces strong workplace violence protections, such as improved locks, weapons-detection systems at all hospital entrances, and more security personnel to help keep nurses and patients safe.
According to the NYSNA press release, nurses had been advocating for these changes due to rising incidents of workplace violence. The union held a rally on March 11 after nurses reported feeling "in the dark and unprotected" during a recent lockdown prompted by a threat at the hospital.
In a statement, NYSNA President Nancy Hagans said, "Over the last few months, nurses have been fighting for a contract that ensures the hospital have a plan to recruit and retain nurses to ensure safe patient care. Nurses shouldn’t go to work fearing for the safety of their patients or colleagues. This contract is a win for the entire Kingston community and shows that when nurses speak out, they improve care for their communities." Spectrum News also reported that the contract includes incentives to maintain safe staffing levels and safeguards regarding the use of artificial intelligence in hospital operations.
Andrea Myers, a registered nurse at HealthAlliance, added, "We achieved protections against workplace violence, wages and benefits that help retain nurses, and protected safe staffing. This shows that when we fight, we win!"
A spokesperson for Westchester Medical Center Health Network, the hospital’s parent company, said, "We are happy to have reached a new three year collective bargaining agreement with NYSNA that recognizes the critical role our nurses play in delivering first class care to our patients, while strengthening compensation and benefits which will strengthen our ability to recruit and retain exceptional nurses who are such an important part of our care team," as noted by the Daily Freeman.
The new contract is effective immediately and is expected to improve both working conditions for nurses and care for patients in the Kingston community.