Sparks fly between MVHS and New York State Nurses Association amidst ongoing attempts to reach deal in impact bargaining

UTICA- Accusations went back and forth this week between Mohawk Valley Health System and the New York State Nurses Association.

The Nurses Association is a Union, which represents some 800 nurses for MVHS and they are pointing fingers at the health system for apparent illegal retaliation against members.

Meanwhile, MVHS is firing back by accusing its union members of violating their collective bargaining agreement.

These developments are according to the latest from WKTV.

Although the contract isn’t up yet and after nearly two-dozen negotiating sessions, officials say they are trying to find an agreement for nurses who came from two different hospitals and two different unions into now one hospital and one union.

Specifically, the union claims MVHS has wrongfully retaliated against nurses who recently took part in a ‘speak out’ near the new Wynn Hospital, right before it opened.

“We are deeply disappointed that this is how MVHS administration is choosing to respond to our calls for a fair, unified agreement that will help deliver quality care to our community," the union said.

In response, MVHS says picketing is a violation of the current collective bargaining agreement. “We have informed NYSNA of the violation and are working on next steps,” MVHS said.

Right now, it’s reported that talks are ongoing, but there are no new negotiation dates set as of this report.

Wynn Hospital image.