CWA and Catholic Health Reach Tentative Agreement on Contracts for Mercy Hospital, Kenmore Mercy Hospital and Sisters Hospital, St. Joseph Campus

Catholic Health and Communications Workers of America (CWA) reached a series of tentative contract agreements early this morning. The four-year agreements, when ratified, will cover more than 2,500 associates, including registered nurses at Sisters of Charity Hospital, St. Joseph Campus; technical associates at Kenmore Mercy Hospital; and registered nurses and service, technical and clerical associates at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo.

The union, which includes CWA locals 1133 and 1168, will be meeting soon with their respective bargaining units at the three hospitals to present details of the contract offers, which include improvements in wages, staffing and pension contributions, as well as the maintenance of high-quality, low-cost health benefits. A vote is expected in the next two weeks.

“We’re proud to have come to an agreement that will promote patient care, offers the wages to retain staff and maintains important healthcare benefits,” said Dennis Trainor, Vice President of Communications Workers of America District 1. “The members of the bargaining committee did extraordinary work and we look forward to sharing the details with CWA members at the hospitals.”

The tentative agreements come after more than a year of active contract negotiations. “I want to thank the bargaining teams for their extraordinary efforts and commitment to work through the complex issues we face in healthcare and find a positive way forward,” said Joe McDonald, President & CEO of Catholic Health. “We are committed to forging a new relationship with the union, built on mutual goals that reward and recognize our dedicated associates, while strengthening our ability to deliver high quality care to this community.”

Catholic Health Contact:

JoAnn Cavanaugh, Director of Public Relations, 716-706-2061, 716-228-4886 (cell), jcav@chsbuffalo.org

CWA Contact:

Deborah Hayes, 716-445-4609, dhayes@cwa-union.org

Michael Rabinowitz-Gold, 646-342-3469, rabinowitz@berlinrosen.com