Members of the Albany Common Council and Albany Med nurses held a prayer vigil at Albany City Hall on Sunday.

The Albany Med nurses are fighting for better patient care, a fair contract, and safe staffing. On the steps of city hall, common council members spoke about their unhappiness for the delay in contract negotiations. Religious leaders from the community also gathered to say a prayer and be heard.

"And right now we're asking all Albany Medical center executives to make a decision and support out nurses these are our friends, neighbors, and they provide life-saving efforts every single day," said Owusu Anane, Albany common council members in the 10th Ward.

Contract negotiations have been going on for more than a year after the nurses voted to join the New York State Nurses Association.

Albany Med responded to the vigil saying in part, “Albany Med has been negotiating in good faith for more than a year to achieve a contract that is fair to all of our employees and to all of our nurses. All decisions, on staffing and every other aspect of our hospital, are made to ensure we deliver the highest quality care to our patients in the safest possible environment.”