CWA Catholic Health Strike Update: Day 5 -- Bargaining commences, 3pm rally with teachers

Below is the latest from CWA-represented nurses, technical, service and clerical staff employed by Catholic Health System, who walked off the job Friday over a long-standing staffing crisis that they want to see alleviated in new contracts.

CWA & Catholic Health meet face-to-face today

CWA is bargaining with Catholic Health System, in person, as of 8:30am, this morning to continue negotiations. CWA Area Director Debora Hayes said yesterday: 

“Our number one priority has been negotiating a fair contract that will alleviate the staffing crisis that is wreaking havoc on our hospitals and our community, and we’re glad that Catholic Health is ready to get back to the table and work with us to do that. We want our conversations to be as productive as possible and are prepared to discuss all proposals in detail and why we need safe staffing requirements for patients and frontline workers.”

She also emphasized in a statement to Politico,“Workers rejected the hospital system’s last minute, inadequate offer early Friday that didn’t include minimum staffing ratios, which are fundamental to ensuring high quality patient care and preventing another understaffing crisis in the future. We want to have a dialogue and get back to work as fast as we can.”

3pm ET rally with teachers

Dozens of New York teachers will join the striking workers on the Mercy Hospital picket line to show their support. Jolene DiBrango, executive vice president of their union the New York State United Teachers, will deliver remarks, along with other local labor leaders. 

Striking workers share their perspectives

Melissa Piechowsez, a respiratory therapist, told WKBW of the strained conditions inside Mercy Hospital, “You can't expect to have grandma in here — waiting five hours just to get water because we have one person taking care of 25 people.” She continued: “They are paying people who are outside of this community a lot more — like four times as much as I get paid — to come in and do the same job that I would be doing, but definitely with a lot more care because I know people who come here.”

Community continues to stand with healthcare workers 

As the strike enters its 5th day, community members and fellow healthcare workers continued to express support for the striking workers: 

Lehigh Valley Health Network Nurses United: 

“Solidarity to our friends striking for fair labor conditions at Catholic Health Mercy Hospital.”

The Intersection Coffee Shop: 

“Some of our dearest regulars worked movies over the past few months. They were exhausted, no time for sleep, food, their kids and pups, or conversation at the cafe. We support @IATSE as well as health care workers at Catholic Health @cwa1122buffalo @CWA1133 #Solidarity”

Buffalo Smitty: 

“@MikeBaggerman @CWAUnion @CHSBuffalo Sad. Catholic health proving they don't care about the patients here. Bad look. But shouldn't be surprised. They've been making RNs work with unsafe staffing throughout all of covid”

Gigi Barb:

“I stand with the striking workers at Mercy Hospital in Buffalo. Staffing needs to be improved, as I witnessed firsthand when my mom was recently hospitalized. As a retired nurse, I’m sure they’re underpaid too!”