(WNY News Now) – As critical staffing negotiations intensify, nearly 8,000 healthcare workers across Western New York agree to a second contract extension, warning of serious impacts on patient care if proposed concessions move forward.
Buffalo, NY – Union healthcare workers at Western New York’s largest employer, Kaleida Health have agreed to a second contract extension through June 24th at 11:59 PM. The second extension of their 3-year labor deal comes as contract talks become contentious, primarily over staffing issues. The largest hospital system in WNY is demanding changes that could drastically impact staffing levels at area hospitals. Healthcare workers are represented by Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO and 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.
“Kaleida’s proposed changes to staffing language in our contract could increase the nurse to patient ratio. Currently, we have staffing ratios that have been agreed upon and we have seen some improvements in staffing. What management is proposing could negatively impact all of the work we have done over the last three years,” said Johnine Gunsalus, RN at Oishei Children’s Hospital.
Caregivers are fighting to improve staffing and to protect patient care. But workers say that management wants to restrict the staffing incentive program, a bonus meant to ensure adequate staffing levels where vacancies occur, eliminate partial shift bonuses, and is refusing an incentive bonus to help staff non-clinical areas.
“Every day I’m forced to choose between caring for myself or caring for my patients. I don’t have time to do both,” said Santa Sawma, RN at Buffalo General Medical Center.
Healthcare workers are demanding improved staffing levels, increased safety protections, job security, as well as dignity and respect.
“I’ve given 34 years to this work, taking care of others, calming their fears, holding their hands through pain and uncertainty. Now my own body is worn and my spirit feels broken. No one sees the wait we carry until we are unable to carry it anymore,” said Patty Bidlack, Monitor tech/ancillary caregiver at Buffalo General Medical Center.
“At the first day of negotiations, management told us they would not ask for concessions, but now they want us to give back what we fought so hard to win. They are even trying to limit our personal days based on job title,” said Tracy Thomas, Licensed Practical Nurse at Oishei Children’s Hospital, Broadway-Pediatric Clinic.
Workers also believe that Kaleida Health must offer a comprehensive wage and benefit package to recruit and retain experienced workers to provide care for patients as well as improvements in pension. In addition, healthcare workers are unwilling to accept concessionary proposals from management.
The current 3-year collective bargaining agreement covers nearly 8,000 healthcare workers at Buffalo General Medical Center, Oishei Children’s Hospital, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, HighPointe on Michigan, DeGraff Medical Park, and various community-based clinics across Western New York.
Union members work as Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Professionals, Technical Employees, Clinicians, Business Office Clerical, and Service and Maintenance at three major hospitals, 2 nursing homes and a variety of clinics across Erie and Niagara Counties.
A Federal Mediator from Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) was present during contract talks until government cuts. Unions and management hired a mediator familiar with both parties, who joins the talks daily.
Bargaining continues Monday through Friday beginning at 9:00 AM each day.
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