1199SEIU and CWA Hospital Workers Plan Strike Authorization Vote
June 24, 2025
As Hospital workers agree to third contract extension, talks over key economic issues will continue through Friday
Buffalo, NY - Union healthcare workers at Western New York’s largest employer, Kaleida Health have agreed to a third contract extension through Friday, June 27th at 11:59 PM. The third extension of their current 3-year labor deal comes as workers demand improvements in benefits and wages that would recruit and retain more staff to care for patients. Healthcare workers are represented by Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO and 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.
The third extension gives caregivers several more days to bargain over key outstanding economic issues. As talks become more divisive, the joint negotiating committee called for a strike authorization vote of the union membership. The strike authorization vote will be held over three days on July 8, 9, and 10.
“We bargained in good faith with Kaleida for over four months, but Kaleida’s lack of recognition of our staffing proposals and economic package has led us to this strike authorization vote. It’s important that management adhere to agreed upon staffing ratios outlined in the New York State Clinical Staffing Law and our current contract. We must figure out a way to enforce safe quality patient care for both our patients and our members,” said Cori Gambini, President of CWA Local 1168.
“We have been negotiating since March 4th and are making limited progress on economics. These issues are so important for recruiting and retaining workers. Today, the bargaining committee unanimously voted to ask the membership for permission to call for a strike vote if we are unable to reach an agreement soon,” said Cheryl Marino, 1199SEIU Organizer and lead negotiator.
Caregivers are fighting to improve staffing and to protect patient care. The unions currently have a number of proposals on the table to address chronic staffing deficiencies across Kaleida Health.
Healthcare workers are demanding improved staffing levels, increased safety protections, job security, as well as dignity and respect.
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 is set to resume tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM.
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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 is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. We represent over 400,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.