(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1122 Members employed at the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) of Western New York have ratified a new, three-year contract that covers more than 600 Workers, including Nurses, Therapists, Social Workers, Pharmacists, Clerical Staff, Warehouse Techs and Delivery Drivers.

The new deal includes historic wage increases of 10% over the life of the contract, which constituted the highest contractual wage increase for the Unit since the Health Care Workers joined CWA 45 years ago, Union Officials said.

The no concessions contract also added progressive language concerning work-from-home, paid time off, Staff scheduling, work-life balance, and health care benefits, they added.

CWA-represented VNA Caregivers administer to patients in 10 Counites across Western New York (Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming, Genesee, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Allegany, as well as a couple outside the area: Livingston and Steuben).

“The Membership ‘told us what they wanted and (the Negotiating Team) nailed it.’  ‘It’s a good contract,’” Local 22 President Tom Antonio told WNYLaborToday.com. 

“For the ‘most part,’ our Members ‘are happy and excited about the new contract,’ which also includes a gain of two paid holidays (Martin Luther King, Jr. and Juneteenth).  ‘They really like the flexibility in the contract to avoid’ paid time off for their work-life balance.  ‘We were also able to strengthen language in the contract when it comes to safety on the job,’” Antonio said.

The bargaining took several months and involved some unique challenges, CWA Local 1122 Officials said.

Since the Unionized VNA Employees are spread across several counties, hosting in-person meetings and keeping communication flowing required ingenuity and determination on the part of both Organizers and Workers.

Despite the logistical headaches, CWA Local 1122’s Mobilization Team - known as The Red Dragons, mobilized successfully throughout the negotiations, showing continued support for their Members with rallies at several VNA branch offices.

The CWA/VNA Members have expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by Organizer Dan Lukasiewicz and Co-Mobilizer Tori Henley, Local 22 President Antonio added, as well as CWA District One Regional Director Debbie Hayes.

“‘They were all awesome,’” he said.

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: For More On This Labor News Report, Read: Focusing A Spotlight On CWA Local 1122 Members Employed At The Visiting Nurses Association: From City To Country, ‘A Variety Of Essential’ Health Caregivers ‘Provide More Than Meets The Eye, Underscoring How Valuable They Truly Are’ - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York

Photo Provided By CWA Local 1122.