BUFFALO, N.Y. — Workers at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo are now entering day 27 of their strike against Catholic Health.

The health care organization gave an update Tuesday on the status of the negotiations. Catholic Health says it's working to provide fair and competitive wages.

CEO Mark Sullivan says they believe the current offer on the table is a win for its associates.

"It's not a bargaining war," said Sullivan. "This can end today. It can end right now. The offer on the table again, fair and competitive wages, fair benefits, the best staffing model, most progressive in the state. Those are the three priorities that are mentioned in press conferences by CWA. Why is there no deal? I can't answer that."

Sullivan says they have continued to provide health benefits to workers on the picket line, but as the strike nears a new month, leaders will have to consider whether those benefits will continue.

CWA District 1 Vice President Dennis Trainor released this statement in response to Sullivan:

“It’s disheartening to hear Catholic Health is considering taking away the healthcare benefits of its frontline workers who got Buffalo through the pandemic, but I want to remind our members that through CWA’s relief fund, anyone with chronic conditions in need of care or those facing health emergencies will be taken care of. These workers want the strike to end more than anything, but they are also determined to stand up for their patients and the community to ensure Catholic Health doesn’t get into the same staffing crisis again and again. These workers stand more united in our union than ever and believe what they are doing is in the best interests of patients’ safety and quality of care.”