BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) "I think they're getting close, but that doesn't mean it's easy to say yes." Art Wheaton of Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations joined WBEN Tuesday and said the remaining sticking point in the Mercy negotiations has been the issue the entire time. "Staffing ratios is the primary reason they went out on strike," he said.
That one issue carries a lot of weight and could potentially cost a lot of money.
The union is looking for a nurse to patient ratio of one to four. Catholic Health has proposed a ratio of one to five.
"I think if they move to 1:4, this ends," said CWA area director
Deborah Hayes, outside Mercy Hospital Monday afternoon. "We have some I's to dot and T's to cross and papers to sign off on, but if they come to 1:4, this is over. That's literally how close we are," she said.
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Wheaton added, there's a big difference in terms of how much it will cost
Catholic Health to have the 1:4, compared to 1:5.
Catholic Health stands by its offer, claiming it has one of the most
progressive staffing proposals in the state.
The union's ratio becomes extra challenging for the health care provider
due to a national staffing shortage, especially of nurses.
The Mercy strike is in its 5th week. "It's not uncommon," said Wheaton, referring to the break down in negotiations at this stage. "It's unfortunate, but not uncommon. Tensions get high. Catholic Health added additional pressure by saying we're taking away your health insurance."The CWA strike fund will
likely take over and continue to pay COBRA benefits. But it adds more fuel to the fire and adds more emotion to a tough time already," he added.
Wheaton says part of the reason you're hearing about it in the media, is they want public opinion to help push the other side to the table to agree. "I don't know who has more leverage in this situation. I do know that the healthcare workers have more public support," he said.
Where does this go from here? "The ball," Wheaton says, "is in Catholic Health's court." Adding, "Nobody wins in a strike. It's not a matter of 'we won, you lost'. It just costs people money on both sides."
