It’s a done deal, after 79 percent of CWA Local 1168, 84 percent of 1199 SEIU and IUOE Local 17 members voted this week to ratify its collective bargaining agreement with Kaleida Health.
- Unions, Kaleida struck an agreement earlier this month
- Deal addresses wages and safe staffing
- Agreement expires May 31, 2022
The three-year deal was reached earlier this month after about five months of negotiations, and a high-spirited rally.
"I'm thrilled. I think it's a strong agreement," said Cori Gambini, RN, CWA Local 1168 president.
The unions represent more than 7,000 workers spread out over a number of local health care facilities.
"We're proud of the agreement. To improve the best health care contract in Western New York going into bargaining and we improved it from where it was," said James Scordato, 1199 SEIU Hospital Division Area vice president.
Part of the agreement includes a cash bonus for this year, a 2 percent increase next July, 1 percent in January 2021 and 3 percent in August of that year as well.
Leaders say there are no significant changes to their overall health care costs.
"Allowing us to maintain a good wage and benefit package," said Gambini.
"Always want to make improvements in our wages, in benefits, including our pension. It's just an overall, I think, a great contract on a staffing level perspective," said Scordato.
Union leaders say Kaleida also promised to continue to help solve the safe staffing problem, by hiring a good amount of registered nurses and other full-time health care professionals.
They say the move will prevent staff from prioritizing which rooms to go to, and keep levels proportionate to the number of patients on their floor.
"You want to have enough staff so you could attend to the patient frequently. Will bring us much closer to having staff that is needed to continue to provide the quality care that our members do every single day in those facilities," said Gambini.
"And we now move on with building a better health care system with Kaleida. I would say to the community that the quality care that they receive and will continue to receive at Kaleida will be second to none," said Scordato.
The contract also increased SEIU's training fund to now include the CWA, allowing all members to seek higher education, save thousands of dollars and increase their earning potential.
The agreement expires May 31, 2022.