CWA Membership Grows In Buffalo! Healthcare Workers Vote to Join CWA 1133

Residual service and clerical workers at Kenmore Mercy Hospital in Buffalo, NY, voted in late June to join CWA Local 1133, joining over 2,700 healthcare workers within the Catholic Health system who are already CWA members. The new members include sterile processing techs, switchboard operators, EKG techs, transport and supply staff, operating room schedulers, physical therapy assistants, and more.

Workers cited job security, lack of pay raises, inadequate staffing, and security issues as reasons for joining CWA, with some staffers reporting waiting over a decade for the opportunity. Organizing was led by a strong committee of 15 workers who consistently challenged management during their many captive audience meetings and encouraged others to be vocal and visible in their support of the union.

To assist the organizing committee, CWA Local 1133 has built a strong mobilizing structure among their current members at Kenmore Mercy.