Buffalo, NY – Health Care Workers represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Locals 1133 and 1168 have announced its Members who are employed at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo have voted to Strike if Catholic Health refuses to agree to a fair contract.
CWA represents more than 2,800 Nurses, Service, Technical and Clerical Workers at Catholic Health’s South Buffalo Mercy Hospital, Kenmore Mercy Hospital and Sisters of Charity Hospital/St. Joseph Campus in Suburban Cheektowaga.
Mercy Hospital and its affiliated offsite locations are the only facility where Workers can legally Strike under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, but all three hospitals are at the bargaining table.
CWA Local 1133 President Brian Magner said: “We have been crystal clear – without competitive wages and benefits and language to enforce the staffing ratios we fought so hard for in our last contract, more and more people will walk out the door. This Strike Authorization is not something we take lightly, but our Members are ready to stand up again to protect their patients and their profession if necessary.”
Unsafe staffing levels and noncompetitive pay and benefits have been major sticking points throughout negotiations, Union Officials said.
Jennifer Liberti-Bemis, a Registered Nurse who works in the Mother Baby Unit at Mercy Hospital, said: “Every shift feels like a battle to care for our patients while we’re stretched far too thin. When Catholic Health doesn’t meet Safe Staffing levels, it’s not just stressful – it’s dangerous. We fought hard to win ratios in 2021 and now we’re demanding they actually follow them so we can give our patients the care they deserve.”
