BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – Catholic Health and CWA Local 1133 made some progress Tuesday in the negotiations for a new labor contract, but staffing ratios remain at the forefront of the negotiations.
In an evening news conference, CWA Upstate Director Debora Hayes told reporters the union representing 2,200 nurses and other employees at Mercy Hospital will not end the strike until a complete and comprehensive deal is reached.
“Staffing is really our core issue,” Hayes said. “Staffing, work conditions, and what folks are experiencing inside the workplace right now, so we want to take our time with that one and make sure that we get it right.”
Wages for the lowest paid workers are above $15 according to the union’s proposal. Hayes said they did not formally give their staffing proposal to Catholic Health because the union wants more information before they submit it.
Catholic Health representatives did not hold an in-person news conference but described Tuesday’s meeting as “productive”.
“Staffing is a challenging facing all healthcare providers in Buffalo, New York, and across the nation,” JoAnn Cavanaugh, Director of Public Relations at Catholic Health, said in a statement. “Some reports show that, throughout the country, nearly one in five healthcare workers have quit their jobs during the pandemic. The staffing concerns our associates have shared are not unique to Catholic Health. We share their frustration, which is why we continue to aggressively recruit staff to Catholic Health and are discussing new ideas with the union to address this ongoing issue.”
As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, CWA had not responded in writing to the hospital’s latest $33 million wage and benefit package.
“The staffing part…are as, if not more important, to our members right now,” Hayes said. “They’re telling us wages are secondary. You have to deal with what’s going on bedside at the hospitals.”
A new state law in New York will require an adequate staffing ratio by January 1, 2023. The law says each hospital must adopt a staffing plan by July 1 of the prior calendar year. Hayes said they should get the ratio in place now because the players are currently at the bargaining table.
Still, despite the progress made Tuesday, it does not appear a deal will be reached on Wednesday when the two sides return to the table. Hayes said there are still questions about staffing and that they want to be “thorough and precise”.
Meanwhile, the strike continues outside Mercy Hospital. The union was joined Tuesday by a coalition of teachers unions locally and statewide.
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“Shame on Catholic Health,” West Seneca teacher’s union president Joe Cantafio said into a megaphone surrounded by supporters. “You talk about heroes but you don’t treat them like heroes. Mercy Hospital is one of the most important hospitals here in Western New York.If you’ve been here, you know the services you get from all the people here.”
Buffalo Teacher’s Federation President Phil Rumore called for an audit into hospital leadership to see where they are spending the money.