October 20 - Bargaining and Other Updates

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Read to the end! Included in this update:

  • Bargaining update
  • Unemployment Insurance FAQ
  • Community Service Committee update + how to request assistance
  • Events from the picket lines this week
  • A look back at the past 20 days

Bargaining Update

  • We’ve made some movement at the bargaining table this week, but we still have work to do.  

  • The Hospital is still refusing to agree to retroactive pay.

  • Wage increases in all bargaining units continues to be a significant issue. We have made significant progress to move away from red circled employees. We had about 600 members that would have received lump sums, but now have less than 100. We are still working on getting that sorted out.

  • We still have a number of open items including Staffing, Staffing Incentive Program (Bonus Pay), Agreement, Health Coverage & Co-Pays, Prescription Co-Pays, RN Floating (Mercy), Uniform Policy, On-Call Work in Progres (Mercy), Shift Differential (St. Joe’s), and PTO & Holiday Scheduling (St. Joe’s).

Unemployment Insurance

Please see our list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding Unemployment Insurance. If you have another question or need more help, please come to the Local 1133 office Monday to Friday between 8AM and 4PM to speak with someone on the Unemployment Team. If you cannot make it during that timeframe, please call the Union (716-828-1133) to schedule an appointment.

Community Service Committee Update

A reminder that the Community Service Committee and the Member Relief Fund Committee are here to assist you at the Local 1133 office. We can provide assistance to you, such as filling out the request for assistance forms, unemployment questions and COBRA forms.

We have a food bank at the office, a list of community food banks, and weekly gift cards as long as they last that are available to all members.

We are here for you Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm at 821 Elk Street. The phone number is 828-1133.

If you need immediate assistance, please call Crisis Services at 716-834-3131.

What's Happened on the Picket Lines This Week

COVID Heroes Banners - Additional banners are being put up at the picket lines as we speak! We’re adding more photos, as well as signs and drawings from our families.  

We had an energizing visit from the New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento yesterday, along with several members of the wider labor community.

"Your two and a half million union brothers and sisters across this state - public sector unions and private sector unions and building trade unions, from Buffalo to Brooklyn to Long Island and everywhere in between - we are here with you. YOUR FIGHT IS OUR FIGHT!"

Check out the full video of Mario’s visit to the picket lines here!

Elected Leaders at the picket lines over the last few days included New York State Attorney General Tish James on Friday, and New York State Governor Kathy Hochul this afternoon.

Family Night at the Picket Lines! We welcomed our children and grandchildren for a cookout and music at the Cazanovia Pool area across from Mercy to celebrate our families, the support they've given us throughout this strike, and all of the hard work everyone has put in over the past 20 days (and more)!

A Look Back at the Past 20 Days

We're on Day 20. This strike is tough, but we are tougher. Check out some scenes from the past 20 days.