Catholic Health and CWA had a productive, in-person discussion today regarding staffing. This was the parties’ first in-person meeting since CWA walked out of negotiations early Friday morning.
Nursing leadership from Kenmore Mercy Hospital, Mercy Hospital and Sisters of Charity Hospital, St. Joseph Campus, participated in today’s bargaining session and addressed questions the union had about the staffing proposal Catholic Health presented last week. The CNOs also offered additional insight and perspective about hospital staffing.
“Staffing is a challenge facing all healthcare providers in Buffalo, New York and across the nation,” JoAnn Cavanaugh said. “Some reports show that, throughout the country, nearly one in five healthcare workers have quit their jobs during the pandemic. The staffing concerns our associates have shared are not unique to Catholic Health. We share their frustration, which is why we continue to aggressively recruit staff to Catholic Health and are discussing new ideas with the union to address this ongoing issue.”
As of 5 pm, CWA still has not responded in writing to the hospitals’ $33 million wage and benefit package.
