Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Workers represented by the Communication Workers of America have voted overwhelmingly to ratify their contracts with Catholic Health, formally bringing to an end the strike against Mercy Hospital that lasted more than a month.
In a release late Monday, the CWA indicated 94 percent voted to ratify a total of six four-year contracts covering about 25-hundred workers.
"Going on strike was the hardest thing I've ever done, but my coworkers and I did it because we owed it to our patients," said Jennifer Williams, charge nurse at Mercy Hospital. "We knew that if we stuck together in our union family, it was possible to win a contract that treats both healthcare heroes and our patients fairly. We stood strong in our demands because we knew we were standing up for our patients and the kind of care they deserve from us, and we know it was the right thing to do because throughout this entire strike, we have seen nothing but steadfast support from our patients, community, elected officials and union brothers and sisters across the state and country. I want to thank everyone who joined us on the picket line and supported us in a myriad of other ways."
As voting concluded at CWA headquarters Monday, workers filed out one by one and retreated to their vehicles awaiting the final vote count.
How are members feeling? CWA's Jackie Ettipio told WBEN outside the Elk Street headquarters, "Champagne bottles opening, at least for me, and I think a lot of members relief, I think some tears, but I think it's all going to be mostly for joy."
Both the CWA and Catholic Health reached agreement on a tentative deal late Thursday after 35 days on the picket line and almost daily bargaining sessions.
While multiple issues originally separated the two sides, it came down to a final agreement on staffing rations that resulted in the breakthrough agreement between the two sides.
"It's a new day for Mercy Hospital as we prepare to welcome back our associates, and for Catholic Health as we refocus our energies on providing the highest quality care and service to the people of Western New York," said Mark Sullivan, President & CEO of Catholic Health. "Our collective healing process will take time, but I am confident in the ability of our leadership team and associates to work and heal together, and know we will emerge even stronger than before."
As Mercy Hospital prepares to reopen, hospital leaders have developed a detailed return-to-work plan that will restore most services at Catholic Health's major tertiary care hospital. As part the plan, the following services will resume during the day shift on November 10:
-Full emergency services, including ambulance transport
-Labor & Delivery services, including Level ll Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
-Cardiac and Stroke services, including Mercy Hospital's Comprehensive Stroke Center and Heart Center
-Offsite primary care and outpatient services at the Mercy Diagnostic & Treatment Center in West Seneca, Mercy Diagnostic Center in East Aurora, Mercy Comprehensive Care Center in Buffalo, and Women's Health Center in Buffalo
-Emergent and urgent surgical cases will continue to be performed as needed, while inpatient and outpatient elective surgery are expected to resume soon
