Buffalo, NY (WBEN) With a day to go before a possible strike at Buffalo Mercy Hospital, Mayor Byron Brown says he's hopeful CWA Local 1133 and Catholic Health will reach a deal. He fears a strike could harm health care in the city.
"No one in our community wants to see a strike at Mercy Hospital," says Brown. "Obviously a strike would not be good for the employees or the health system or the community." He says nurses are health care heroes and he'd like to see fair market competitive wages for nurses. "I believe the hospital system is committed to that. I also know they're working on nurse-to-patient ratios," adds Brown.
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Brown hopes some help from Washington could come to Mercy. "I certainly would like to see federal CARES Act money come to Mercy Hospital. I know they have been affected by COVID19, and that money could be helpful in the hospital's recovery and settle a contract," adds Brown.
Brown knows bargaining can be a challenge, but he hopes both sides will stay at the table and reach a satisfactory agreement. "It should end by both sides staying at the table and working through the issues they have, and coming to a fair deal that would be good for all parties," says Brown.
Brown believes both sides are committed to getting a deal done. A strike could begin Friday morning if no deal is reached.
