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Bargaining Update: Catholic Health, Buffalo

Members of CWA Locals 1122, 1133, and 1168 at Catholic Health hospitals in Western New York have been keeping up the heat in their fight for a fair contract and safe staffing.

Healthcare workers have spent the past 18 months tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, working longer hours and harder than ever before - but COVID-19 has simply made it more starkly clear than ever: when healthcare workers must care for more patients than they can safely handle, both patients and workers are at risk.

CWA members at Mercy, St. Josephs, and Kenmore Hospitals are fighting to turn the lessons of the COVID-19 crisis into meaningful change that will improve patient care and the overall health and strength of our communities. They’re fighting for a fair contract that includes:

  • Safe staffing ratios

  • No concessions

  • Competitive wages to recruit and retain staff

  • A master contract to unite workers at three hospitals and raise standards

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On August 4th, CWA District 1 Vice President Dennis Trainor met with the Bargaining Committee and then joined CWA members as they stood toe-to-toe with management at the bargaining table to tell their stories of over-work and under-staffing. CWA then held a press conference outside to tell the public about the unbearable strain that understaffing has put on our members, especially over the past year. We were joined by several elected officials, including Assemblymember Pat Burke and State Senator Tim Kennedy.

Over the weekend, members showed up for the Eden Corn Festival to talk to people about their contract fight with Catholic Health Services and the fight for safe staffing - and the Fat Cat showed up too!

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