1199SEIU and CWA Reach 3-Year Tentative Agreement With Kaleida Health Just Two Hours Before Strike Vote Was Set To Begin
July 8, 2025
Upstate, NY – Just two hours before a strike authorization vote was set to begin, unionized Hospital workers at Upstate Western New York’s largest private sector employer reached a 3-year tentative agreement. The tentative agreement with Kaleida Health cancels the strike authorization vote that was set to begin in just hours.
Nearly 8,000 workers were 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.
Workers will have a chance to review and vote on the agreement in the coming weeks. If ratified, details of the agreement will be made public.
“We’ve been negotiating with Kaleida Health for months and after more than 16 hours at the table today, we were able to reach an agreement that we believe is good for our members and the community,” said Cathy DiFlavio, RN and 1199SEIU Administrative Organizer.
“We reached an agreement at 4 AM this morning that the bargaining committee can be proud to bring back to our membership with a strong recommendation for ratification. We believe this agreement will keep Kaleida Health as the premier employer and best place to receive care in the WNY community,” said Cori Gambini, RN and CWA Local 1168 President.
“Now that we have reached an agreement, we can get back to taking care of our community, our patients, and each other,” said Charles Williams, Patient Care Assistant at Buffalo General Medical Center.
The new 3-year tentative 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 participated in contract talks daily to help both sides reach an agreement.
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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.
https://www.cwa1168.org
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.