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Albany County Legislature approves new pay and work‑week terms for SEIU 1199 nursing unit at Shaker Place
Summary
The legislature voted to approve a memorandum of agreement with SEIU Local 1199 for a five‑position RN unit at Shaker Place Rehab and Nursing Center that changes pay, shift differentials and the workweek, officials said.
At a meeting of the Albany County Legislature, members voted to approve a memorandum of agreement (MOU) with SEIU Local 1199 covering a five‑position registered nurse unit at Shaker Place Rehab and Nursing Center.
The MOU, described at the meeting by a county staff member, establishes new pay rates aligned with partner rates, reduces the scheduled workweek for that unit from 40 to 37.5 hours, increases evening and night shift differentials and restores a weekend differential.
“This agreement establishes new pay rates that are more in line with partner rates,” the county staff member said. The agreement mirrors provisions in the larger SEIU Local 1199 contract approved late last year and includes additional 3% increases in 2025, 2026 and 2027, the presenter said. The night and evening shift differential would increase from $0.86 an hour to $1.50; a $2.00 per hour weekend differential is reestablished. The agreement also recognizes June 19 as a holiday. The existing $160 uniform allowance will be transitioned to a safety shoe allowance.
County staff said the bargaining unit covers five budgeted head‑nurse positions; only one of those positions currently is filled by an RN. The staff member said the county employs 17 other registered nurses in administrative and supervisory roles who are covered by a separate contract; five additional positions are non‑union.
Legislators asked whether the change to a 37.5‑hour workweek would complicate coverage. County staff replied that a half‑hour per day reduction is consistent with pre‑COVID industry standards and is managed through existing staffing and shift‑to‑shift communications.
A motion to approve the MOU was made, seconded and approved. The motion passed without a recorded roll‑call tally in the transcript.
The agreement was presented as fully ratified by the union leadership and the sole member covered by the agreement, according to the county staff presenter.
The legislature did not request further amendments at the meeting; county staff offered to answer additional questions after the vote.
