With Labor Day around the corner, talks continue on a master labor agreement between Kaleida Health and the two unions that represent 6,300 employees – more than two-thirds of its total workforce.
Health care workers represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA1168) and 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East will vote Sept. 13-15 on whether to authorize a strike after several months of contract negotiations. If approved, the unions would be required to give Kaleida 10 days’ notice of any action.
The contract, which expired July 31, has been extended twice. Workers held an informational picket Aug. 18 outside Buffalo General Medical Center and Oishei Children’s Hospital.
Kaleida said last week the two sides continue to bargain in good faith with a goal of getting a new contract without a work stoppage. The system is also refining its contingency plans to ensure it can continue providing care should a strike occur.
Kaleida continues to work to fill 800 vacancies, in addition to 436 positions created through a state-mandated staffing process.
In a statement, Kaleida said the two sides have reached agreements on more than 155 contract articles, memorandums of understanding and letters of intent.
“Our current economic package places us as the market leader in wages among Buffalo-area hospitals and enhances employee benefits, which already exceed what our competitors provide," according to the Kaleida statement. "In short, we are committed to achieving a fair contract that rewards our current employees, helps attract new staff and puts Kaleida Health in a strong position going forward.”
In 2019, when the last contract was approved, the two sides came to an agreement just hours before a planned picket.
A third union – International Union of Operating Engineers Local 17 – previously took part in the master labor agreement but this time is working on its own to represent about half a dozen members. A union representative said those talks will begin once the larger agreement is finalized.