BUFFALO, N.Y. — Union representatives and Kaleida Health have reached a tentative three-year deal to avoid a possible strike.

“Even though we were like one big dysfunctional family in here at the end of the day, we’re always here for the same purpose,” said Latausia Johnson, a medical assistant.

Dignity and respect, safe staffing, job security, improved wages, improvement in pension, with no concessions — those were the demands of unions representing 6,300 Kaleida Health workers.

“They say, ‘we're family, we're all one family,’ but we didn't feel that we're being treated like that," said Charles Williams, a patient care assistant. "They heard us.”

Months of negotiations came to a close a little after midnight on Monday. It covers 6,300 workers from both CWA Local 1168 and 1199SEIU.

"I believe we negotiated a historic agreement here that'll put us in a position to recruit and retain health care workers of all job titles,” said Cori Gambini, the president of CWA Local 1168.

While details aren't being shared yet, the deal is an increase over the $200 million, three-year contract previously on the table, according to Kaleida Health president and CEO Don Boyd.

It includes more than 500 new positions and ways to interest former employees into returning, like weekend-only positions.

“Kaleida, going into this contract, wanted to come out of this contract being the best paid, best benefit employer of choice," said James Scordato, 1199SEIU vice president. "We've achieved that together.”

The agreement avoids a strike similar to the one Buffalo saw just last year at Mercy Hospital.

“It would have been catastrophic and I don't know that it's something that our community would have ever recovered from,” said Boyd.

With inflation, revenue losses and more, there are still issues to be addressed.

“2022, by far, is the most challenging year for health care organizations since the start of the pandemic," said Boyd. "I believe that 2023 and 2024 could be even more challenging.”

This deal creates a framework that aims to benefit everyone involved.

“We're going to have the time now to spend to listen to the patients and not feel like an assembly line,” Johnson said.

It might also help the next generation step up.

“With what we negotiated at the table, they're going to want to come," said Kimberly Kornowski, a registered nurse. "That's what we needed to do.”​

Union members still need to vote to ratify the contract, which union leaders say will happen early next week.

Gambini released a statement early Monday, saying:

“The last thing we wanted was a strike, and this week, our committee worked around the clock to avoid that. With 19 bargaining units to cover, it was hard work, but we have won an agreement that will keep talented healthcare workers at Kaleida and alleviate what is currently a devastating staffing shortage.

"After years of exhaustion, back to back shifts, and unmanageable patient loads, we knew for the sake of our patients’ health and safety that we could not back down from this fight. Now, we are looking forward to getting back on track by restoring staffing levels and being able to deliver the highest quality patient care. I’ve been proud to work alongside this committee as we fought to bring our membership the contract they deserve.”

Boyd praised the deal in a statement, saying:

"Despite how challenging it was and the length that it took, this process was all about achieving a fair contract that rewards our current employees, helps attract new staff and puts the organization in a strong position going forward.

“We are proud that we fulfilled our commitment of our three stated objectives as part of this contract: no concessionary bargaining, addressing staffing needs across Kaleida Health plus investing in our workforce with wage increases and more. Our workforce has been stretched to the max these past two and half years; and that they continue to step up to help us address the challenges we face. So it is vitally important that we continue to support and invest in them.

“A special note of thanks to our elected officials for their understanding, counsel and support these past six months.

"In particular, Governor Hochul and her team, the Western New York state legislative delegation, Congressman Higgins, County Executive Poloncarz as well as Mayor Brown, all of whom work collaboratively with both management and the unions to ensure a successful outcome for our community.”

The full bargaining report can be found here.