(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – Union-represented Health Care Workers at Western New York’s largest employer, Kaleida Health, have agreed to a third contract extension through today (Friday, June 27th) at 11:59 p.m.  

The third extension of their current third-year contract comes as Workers demand improvements in benefits and wages that would recruit and retain more Staff to care for patients. 

Kaleida’s Health Care Workers are represented by Communications Workers of America (CWA) and 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) United Healthcare Workers East. 

The current three-year contract covers nearly 8,000 Health Care Workers employed at Buffalo General Medical Center, Oishei Children’s Hospital, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, HighPointe on Michigan, DeGraff Medical Park, and various community-based clinics across Western New York. 

Union Members work as Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Professionals, Technical Employees, Clinicians, Business Office Clerical, and Service and Maintenance at three major hospitals, two nursing homes and a variety of clinics across Erie and Niagara Counties.  

The third extension gives Caregivers several more days to bargain over key outstanding economic issues, Union Officials said during a Thursday (June 26th) news conference.

As talks become more divisive, the CWA/1199 SEIU Joint Negotiating Committee has called for a Strike Authorization Vote of the Union Membership.

The vote will be held over three days on July 8th, 9th and 10th.

CWA Local 1168 President Cori Gambini said: “We bargained in good faith with Kaleida for over four months, but Kaleida’s lack of recognition of our staffing proposals and economic package has led us to this Strike Authorization Vote. It’s important that management adhere to agreed-upon staffing ratios outlined in the New York State Clinical Staffing Law and our current contract. We must figure out a way to enforce safe quality patient care for both our patients and our Members.”

1199 SEIU Organizer and Lead Negotiator Cheryl Marino said: “We have been negotiating since March Fourth and are making limited progress on economics. These issues are so important for recruiting and retaining Workers. Today, the Bargaining Committee unanimously voted to ask the Membership for permission to call for a Strike Vote if we are unable to reach an agreement soon.”

The Unionized Caregivers are fighting to improve staffing and to protect patient care and are demanding improved staffing levels, increased safety protections, job security - as well as dignity and respect.

Workers also believe Kaleida Health must offer a comprehensive wage and benefit package to recruit and retain experienced Workers to provide care for patients, as well as improvements to their Workers’ pension. 

In addition, the Health Care Workers are unwilling to accept concessionary proposals from management.

As such, the Unions currently have a number of proposals on the table to address chronic staffing deficiencies across Kaleida Health.  

A Federal Mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) was present during contract talks until government cuts.  

Unions and management hired a mediator familiar with both parties, who joins the talks daily.  

To Directly Access This Labor News Report, Go To: 1199SEIU and CWA Hospital Workers Plan Strike Authorization Vote

Photo Courtesy Of CWA 1168’s Mary Nowocien Via Facebook.