NORWICH – Chenango County’s public health nurses recently voted to accept a contract agreement reached between their union and local negotiators, officials say.
It is to be presented before the Personnel Committee Nov. 1, and could be voted on by the full Board of Supervisors as early as Nov. 13.
There are 13 full-time and a handful of per diem registered nurse members of the New York State Nurses Association who work in the Public Health Department. The nurses has been without a contract since Dec. 31, 2004.
Public Health Nursing Services Director Marianne Kirsch said she was pleased with the recent progress. “Anything that moves us toward filling our open positions is a good thing,” she said. Low wages and a shortage of nurses have made it difficult to a fill handful of open positions, she said.
County leaders meeting last week said next year’s proposed budget for the Public Health Department will change significantly if an agreement is reached. The current figures indicate a savings of $1,884 in the local share. Department appropriations total $1.76 million.
Prior to requesting an executive session to review the negotiations, Personnel Committee Chairman Wayne C. Outwater said, “The Public Health budget won’t be as good as it looks now.”