(WILLIAMSVILLE, NEW YORK) - The Visiting Nursing Association (VNA) of Western New York has reached an agreement with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1122 on a one-year contract extension, which covers 640 Unionized Employees.

The Union and VNA Management were in the process of negotiating a new contract earlier this Spring when the Coronavirus crisis hit.  The extension runs through March 31st, 2021.

The VNA is the largest Home Health Agency in Western New York, serving more than 27,000 patients annually with more than 530,000 home visits. A Kaleida Health affiliate, the VNA provides services to residents in 10 Western New York counties, including Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Wyoming, Livingston and Steuben. 

The VNA had experienced a 32% drop in patient admissions, as well as a 68% drop in rehabilitation admissions at the height of the pandemic, the VNA said. 

According to the VNA, volume is beginning to return - but not at the pace the organization is used to.  The VNA is currently running about 15% under its pre-COVID levels, they said.

“We recognize the importance of continuing to focus on the recovery of the organization and getting through the COVID-19 crisis,” VNA President Judy Baumgartner said in a released statement.  “The pandemic has had a dramatic and negative impact on the health care system in Western New York, including the VNA.  So, extending the current Collective Bargaining Agreement made the most sense at this time.”

Local 1122 President John Mudie told WNYLaborToday.com that because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Union and VNA Management has had to become “creative.”

“Everything remains ‘status quo’ when it comes to our contract (ranging from set wage increases to the Workers’ health care coverage), but we’ve ‘had to be very creative’ – including when it comes to furloughs,” said Mudie, describing that about 90 CWA-represented VNA Employees have been furloughed over the last three months in small waves.  “It’s ‘better than them being laid off and it gives them the opportunity to come back.’”

“COVID ‘has brought on different terms’ (of how the VNA has had to run its operations),” he added, “but (the VNA has) ‘worked with (Local 1122) and made sure our Members have the proper’ PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) ‘and that they are protected when out in the field.’”

The VNA offers a full range of services including pediatric and adult-skilled nursing and therapies, chronic disease management, home infusion therapy, mental health care, obstetrical services, tele-health, personal care, as well as personal response systems.

“I ‘couldn’t be more proud of all of our Local’s Members’ who have been deemed ‘essential,” Mudie told Your On-Line Labor Members.  “Our Members ‘have delivered.’”

Founded in 1885, the VNA of Western New York was the first Visiting Nursing Organization in the United States.  Since then, they have become one of the oldest charities in the Nation and remain the largest home health agency in the Western New York Region.