Nurses win union election at Cayuga Medical Center

Registered nurses at Cayuga Medical Center (CMC) won union representation this afternoon in an election overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Eighty-two percent  of nurses voted in favor of CWA union representation, according to a press release issued by the Communications Workers of America. 

“We respect the decision of our nursing staff,” said Rob Lawlis, CEO of Centralus Health, in a recent public comment. “This outcome reflects the perspectives and concerns many of our nurses have shared. Cayuga Medical Center is committed to working professionally and in good faith as we move forward, including our negotiations with the CWA. Our commitment remains unchanged: supporting our nurses and care teams while ensuring patients continue to receive safe, high-quality, compassionate care.”

CMC nurses built their union as Cayuga United-CWA, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The nurses will now be able to begin bargaining with management for a union contract that addresses their concerns and improves working conditions.

“The hard work is just starting, but nurses are good at hard work,” said Shane Snyder, In-Patient Wound RN. “We’ve been delivering quality patient care for years while feeling unsupported and burnt out, and I’m excited to see what we can do with our union behind us. We are tenacious, we are strong, and we are ready to start bargaining our contract.”

“My career as a nurse is something that I’ve always taken such pride in. Now, I have another part of the job to be so proud of,” said Morgan Downing, Cardiac Catheterization RN. “We are laying the groundwork for the generations of nurses to come after us, and we’re already hearing from other medical professionals inspired to join us. I am so excited to have my seat at the table alongside my fellow nurses to start bargaining for our first contract. We are united and ready to continue to advocate for ourselves, our patients and our community.”

“The overwhelming victory by CMC nurses is a shining example of what healthcare professionals can achieve when they join together with a collective voice,” said CWA District 1 Vice President Dennis Trainor. “CMC nurses have overwhelmingly and repeatedly voiced their urgent desire for a union contract and it is time for management to join us at the bargaining table and get to work improving conditions for nurses and their patients.” 

The drive for union recognition at CMC is expanding, according to the CWA, as nurses at CMC-affiliated offsite locations join the union movement. Registered nurses at the CMC Cancer Centers and at CMC Surgicare Center have demanded union recognition after supermajorities signed union authorization cards.