(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – Just two hours before a Strike Authorization Vote was set to begin, Unionized Hospital Workers who are employed at Western New York’s largest Private Sector employer reached a tentative, three-year contract agreement. 

Nearly 8,000 Workers were demanding improvements in benefits and wages that would recruit and retain more Staff to care for patients at Kaleida Health’s Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Clinics across Western New York. 

The Health Care Workers are represented by Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1168 and 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) United Healthcare Workers East.

Workers will have a chance to review and vote on the agreement in the coming weeks.

If ratified, details of the agreement will then be made public.

“We’ve been negotiating with Kaleida Health for months and after more than sixteen hours at the table today, we were able to reach an agreement that we believe is good for our Members and the community,” Registered Nurse Cathy DiFlavio and 1199 SEIU Administrative Organizer said.

CWA Local 1168 President Cori Gambini, a Registered Nurse, said: “We reached an agreement at (4 a.m.) this morning that the bargaining committee can be proud to bring back to our Membership with a strong recommendation for ratification. We believe this agreement will keep Kaleida Health as the premier employer and best place to receive care in the Western New York Community.”

The three-year agreement covers Unionized Health Care Workers employed at the 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. 

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

The Unions and Kaleida management hired a Mediator familiar with both parties, who participated in contract talks daily to help both sides reach an agreement.  

For More On This Labor News Story, Go To: 1199SEIU and CWA Reach 3-Year Tentative Agreement With Kaleida Health Just Two Hours Before Strike Vote Was Set To Begin