1199SEIU and CWA Hospital Workers Will Hold Press Conference To Update Public On Contract Talks with Kaleida Health
June 25, 2025
Labor contract covering nearly 8,000 hospital workers is set to expire Friday at 11:59 PM as a strike authorization vote and Congressional cuts to Medicaid Coverage Looms
WHO: 1199SEIU and CWA hospital workers
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: Thursday, June 26, 2025 from 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM only
WHERE: 2421 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14214
WHY? Hospital workers at Western New York’s largest employer are set to hold a strike authorization vote in early July. The third extension of their 3-year labor deal is set to expire Friday at 11:59 PM. Nearly 8,000 workers are demanding improvements in benefits and wages that would recruit and retain more staff to care for patients at Kaleida Health’s hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics across Western New York. Healthcare workers are represented by Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO and 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.
The third contract extension gives caregivers until Friday at 11:59 PM 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. This week, 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 strike authorization vote comes at time when Congressional Republicans are looking to cut vital Medicaid funding critical to hospitals, nursing homes, and homecare. More recently, President and CEO of Kaleida Health, Don Boyd stated that safety net hospitals, like Oishei Children’s could lose $65 million dollars in Medicaid funding per year[1].
Most of Kaleida Health’s hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics are located in the 26th Congressional District. In that district alone, more than 69% of all people admitted to hospitals have Medicaid or Medicare as their primary insurance coverage which is 56% of patient revenue.[2]
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 9:15 AM.
On background:
Congressional Republicans are determined to cut vital health insurance coverage to millions of children, adults, people with disabilities and the most frail and elderly citizens all to fund tax cuts for billionaires and corporations. These tax cuts for billionaires are nothing more than a target to hard working families and struggling communities in both rural and urban areas.
New York faces the loss of 72,000 health care jobs[3] and would lose $6.7 billion dollars in federal funding in 2026. These devastating cuts come at a time when most hospitals and nursing homes are experiencing staffing issues because of the multi-year pandemic. These drastic cuts will disrupt care and programs essential for health and productivity of those who rely on Medicaid including hospitals like Kaleida Health.
Medicaid is jointly funded by the federal government and the states, and it is supported by 77 percent of Americans. Deep Medicaid cuts would have a devastating impact on state budgets, forcing state leaders to make impossible choices regarding cuts to vital services.
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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.
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[1] Kaleida CEO warns of major cuts if Medicaid bill passes - Buffalo Business First
[2] 26th Congressional District | Timothy Kennedy | Economic & Community Benefit | HANYS
[3] Medicaid, SNAP Cuts Could Trigger Job Loss, Less State Revenue | Commonwealth Fund