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CWA 1133 Communications Vital Signs

March 2026 Vital Signs

Common Table TA: Grievance Procedure:

Article 8: Grievance Procedure, Section 3 & 4: 

Section 3. Provided an employee has first attempted to resolve a scheduling issue directly with their immediate supervisor and there has been no resolution within seventy-two (72) hours, a grievance related to a scheduling issue shall be initiated in writing and submitted directly at Step 2 within ten (10) calendar days after the posting of the schedule at issue. A Step 2 meeting will be held and the Employers/Hospitals will provide the written Step 2 answer within five (5) business days of receipt of the written grievance, subject to Sections 10 and 17 below. 

Section 4. Grievances related to pay discrepancies shall be initiated in writing and submitted directly at Step 2 within twenty (20) calendar days after the event or events giving rise to the grievance occurred, or within twenty (20) calendar days after those events should reasonably have been known or the grievance shall be deemed waived. The parties reserve all rights and arguments concerning the appropriate scope of any arbitration award, notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, subject only to the limitations imposed by Section 7 below.

Solidarity in Motion:

PSL: 

  • Maximum amount that can be used is 56 hours.
  • When using PSL, you must use at least 4 hours.
  • Must state that you are using PSL with a brief reason.
  • It is a non-disciplined occurrence. 

Common Table: Article 59: Paid Sick Leave: 

Section 2. Employees may use their PTO for up to fifty-six (56) hours per calendar year, for the following reasons impacting the employee or a covered member of their family for whom they are providing care or assistance with care: 

  • a. A mental or physical illness, injury or health condition of an associate or an associate's family member, regardless of whether such illness, injury or health condition has been diagnosed or requires medical care;
  • b. The diagnosis, care or treatment of, a mental or physical illness, injury or health condition of, or need for medical diagnosis of, or preventive care for an associate or an associate's family member; or
  • c. An absence from work due to reasons when the associate or associate's family member has been the victim of domestic violence, a family offense, sexual offense, stalking or human trafficking (Safe Care)
  • d. Any other reason for leave set forth in the New York State Paid Sick Leave Law, as may be amended from time to time. 

“Alone we are weak, together we are strong.” #1U 

In Solidarity, 

Andrea Gilmour

Reminders & Updates:

  • The contract still needs to be proofed before going to printing/electronic. A limited amount of copies will be available upon request.
  • On WFM regarding PSL, your used balance is what you used last year. If you click on it, you'll see the final balance, that's your current balance.
  • On WFM, for PTO and ESL your used balances are not your current balance. You need to click on it to see your actual balance.
  • PFL and FMLA are considered a weekend makeup for intermittent usage and are considered unscheduled with the loss of incentive pay. Using PSL you do not have to make up a weekend, and you do not lose your incentive pay.
  • Infectious disease also does not require a weekend makeup, and you only have 24 hours to get a diagnosis from a doctor to use your ESL.
  • Make sure to check your pay stubs.
  • Our next membership meeting is on March 19 at 4:30pm at the union hall. Please try to select one person from your department to come to these meetings and bring back info to the rest of your department.
  • MERCY ONLY: Amy Peterson will be the manager of 4N and 8E. 4N is open. 8E will open in the late spring once 4N is up and running.
  • Please make sure you are filling out short staffing forms.
  • If you have any questions about the union contract, please call the union hall.
  • Want to be involved? Please contact Andrea Gilmour at the union hall 716-828-1133.

1st Quarter Retirees:

  • Michele DePlanche, KMH MRI Tech- 2/1/26 

  • Lois Ganschow, MHB RN- 1/18/26 

  • Cathleen Geist, MHB RN- 11/15/25 

  • Debra Kish, MHB PTA- 11/29/25 

  • Laura Reyes-Ortiz, MHB NA- 11/1/25 

  • Bob Scime, MHB Rad Clerk- 10/31/25 

  • Virginia Simoncelli, MHB RN- 1/2/26 

  • Diane Tedesco, MHB Mammo Tech- 1/10/26 

  • Daretha Yarns, MHB FSA- 1/10/26

This update was brought to you by the Communications Committee:

Rebecca Aldrow, Jamie Banks, Kerri Diebold-Phillips, Kimberly Hayward, Brian Magner, Kevonna Neely, Larry Potts, Sharon Scime and Jennifer Williams.