The 6,300 Kaleida Health workers in Buffalo, NY - members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1168 and 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East (1199SEIU) - are fighting for a new contract that will address safe staffing levels, increase job security, fair wages, and guarantee dignity and respect on the job.
The current three-year contract expires on May 31, 2022, and covers Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Dietary Workers, Personal Care Attendants, Professionals, Technicians, Service & Maintenance Workers, Clerical Workers and many more job titles. Workers are located at three major hospitals, two nursing homes, and clinics across Western New York, including:
- Buffalo General Medical Center
- Oishei Children’s Hospital
- Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital
- HighPointe on Michigan
- DeGraff Medical Park
- Various community based clinics.
Staffing levels are critical, with more than 1,000 vacancies across Kaleida Health hospitals and nursing homes.
The Communications Workers of America represents 300,000 working people nationally in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, and manufacturing.
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest healthcare workers union represents over 400,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida.