CWA Demands Action in Response to Incident in the Mercy Hospital of Buffalo Emergency Department

For Immediate Release: March 10, 2025
Contact: Hannah Lorenc | hlorenc@cwa-union.org | (716) 969-4797

CWA Demands Action in Response to Incident in the Mercy Hospital of Buffalo Emergency Department

Buffalo, NY – At approximately 8:00 AM on Monday, March 10, Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 1, CWA Local 1133, and CWA Local 1168 representing frontline healthcare workers at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, Kenmore Mercy Hospital, and Sisters of Charity Hospital St. Joseph Campus, were informed by Catholic Health Administration that a patient shot himself late Sunday night in the Emergency Department of Mercy Hospital of Buffalo. No other patients, staff, or visitors were harmed.

Dennis Trainor, Vice President of CWA District 1 stated “This incident highlights the growing crisis of violence in healthcare facilities– an issue that frontline healthcare workers have been raising for years. This shooting is the latest and most extreme example of how severe the problem has become," Debora Hayes, Upstate Area Director for CWA D1 echoed these concerns, adding "Our members face threats daily, and we cannot continue to allow them to work in conditions where their safety is at risk."

Healthcare workers are at higher risk of workplace violence than workers in any other profession. Despite repeated warnings and calls for action, hospitals have been slow to implement the necessary security measures, leaving staff vulnerable and unsafe in the very environments where they are needed most.

"Our hospitals must ensure the safety of the healthcare professionals who risk their lives every day to care for our community," says Brian Magner, RN and President of CWA Local 1133. "We cannot wait for another tragedy before we take action."

The ongoing threat of violence in healthcare settings has reached a crisis point, with workers facing both physical and verbal assaults on a regular basis. These incidents can range from verbal threats and intimidation to physical attacks, including choking, hitting, and even stabbings or shootings. However, many hospitals still lack basic protections such as adequate security personnel, emergency response protocols, or proper training to de-escalate violent situations. This failure to prioritize worker safety not only jeopardizes the health and well-being of healthcare professionals but also puts patients and visitors at risk.

"As an Emergency Department Nurse, I come to work every day ready to care for my patients, but I should never fear for my own safety while doing my job," said Maureen Kryszak, RN of 29 years. "My coworkers, who I consider to be my family, and I deserve to feel safe at work. Catholic Health must act now to make sure that I come home at the end of my shift."

CWA has been in discussions with Catholic Health regarding workplace safety, but progress has been slow. Members of the CWA bargaining committee, who are currently in contract negotiations for a successor agreement, met with Catholic Health officials today to discuss the incident. CWA is demanding that Catholic Health immediately implement the following security measures:

• Full signage in all Catholic Health facilities stating that all weapons are prohibited, along with other postings stating that verbal and physical abuse will not be tolerated;
• Armed security guards posted in all waiting rooms and in all Catholic Health System Emergency Departments at all times;
• Bullet proof glass installed in all public facing areas
• Metal detectors installed in all public entryways; 
• Badge scanners installed in all entryways, including ambulance entrances;
• Limitation on the number of visitors in the Emergency Department
• An Evaluation of the layout of the EDs to determine risks and potential methods for reducing those risks;
• De-escalation training for all bargaining unit members;
• A separate space for Behavioral Health patients with trained, dedicated security personnel;
• Complete revision of weapons control policy;
• EAP and Crisis Services for all employees impacted by this incident;
• Excused absence time with pay for employees  directly involved in the incident;
• Immediately form a workgroup inclusive of ED staff and Union representatives to address safety issues.

“We stand united in demanding that our workers are shielded from violence and that our hospitals invest in the safety and well-being of those who serve our community,” says Cori Gambini, RN and President of CWA Local 1168. “Together, we can create an environment where healthcare professionals can focus on what they do best: caring for our community.”

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The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields. CWA represents roughly 15,000 healthcare workers throughout New York.