CWA Catholic Health Strike Update: Day 7

Below is the latest from CWA-represented nurses, technical, service and clerical staff employed by Catholic Health System, who walked off the job last Friday, October 1, over a long-standing staffing crisis that they want to see alleviated in new contracts.

Candlelight Vigil at 6:00 PM

As bargaining continues today, Catholic Health workers will hold a candlelight vigil tonight at 6:00 PM ET on the picket line outside of Mercy Hospital. They will be joined by members of the Catholic clergy, who will lead a prayer in remembrance of patients and fellow colleagues lost due to COVID-19.

Workers speak out about deteriorating patient care inside Mercy Hospital

In an interview with The Nation, CWA District 1 Area Director Deborah Hayes said, “The stories that we are hearing from our members are heartbreaking. People are telling us stories about using ripped towels to make washcloths, using hospital socks for washcloths, not being able to get medical-grade gloves, not being able to get urinals, and using suction canisters for patients to urinate [in].”

“Walking away from [my patients] was the hardest thing I’ve ever done personally,” Katherine Kelly, a union steward and a charge nurse with Catholic Health for 38 years, told reporter Connor Lewis. “But I knew I had to take a stand and say, you know what, I can’t do for them what I would normally do, even just holding their hand as they’re dying.”

17 year veteran maternity ward nurse Tammy Kowalik also detailed the impact of short staffing to WBFO: "I would say that in the very first years of working at Mercy, you felt like you had time to spend. And over the last several years, even pre-pandemic, it seems like the staffing, some days, even if we had enough staff, they may be pulled to different units that aren't so staffed," Kowalik said. "So sometimes I find that staff can be just displaced. And some days you don't even know where you're going to be. And it's not the unit that you usually are working on.”

“Sometimes it's so rushed or condensed that you have to kind of pick and choose and only do bare minimum or give just enough information and then hopefully pass it on to either home care or their pediatrician or their own OB doctor,” she added. “I don't want to say cutting corners, but everything gets so condensed. And it's just not that full circle of guidance and dedication that we want to give.” 

Elected officials across New York express support for striking Catholic Health workers

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer: 

“I stand with CWA Local 1133 workers walking the line in Western NY. Adequate staffing is essential for high quality health care and frontline worker safety.”

NYS Senator and Chair of Senate Labor Committee, Jessica Ramos

“I unequivocally stand with healthcare workers W/@CWADistrict1 at Mercy Hospital, who have been on strike for nearly a week over a severe staffing crisis. It’s on @CHSBuffalo CEO Mark Sullivan to fix this. Do the right thing and settle a fair contract. #Strike4PatientCare”

NYS Senator Julia Salazar:

“I stand w/@CWADistrict1 healthcare workers in Buffalo on #Strike4PatientCare. Understaffing & low wages are driving many to leave the field. @CHSBuffalo needs to do the right thing & give them a fair contract.”

NYS Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest

“I stand w/ @CWADistrict1 healthcare workers in Buffalo on #Strike4PatientCare. They're struggling to help patients- understaffing & low wages driving too many to leave the field. After everything they sacrificed, @CHSBuffalo needs to do the right thing & give them a fair contract”

NYS Assemblymember Karines Reyes, R.N.:

“I stand w/ @CWADistrict1 healthcare workers in Buffalo on #Strike4PatientCare. They're struggling to help patients- understaffing & low wages driving too many to leave the field. ⁦@CHSBuffalo⁩ needs to do the right thing & give them a fair contract”

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams: 

“I support Healthcare workers w/ @CWADistrict1 at Mercy Hospital striking for nearly a week over a severe staffing crisis. It's critical 

@CHSBuffalo CEO Mark Sullivan settles a fair contract now with staff needed to care for communities #Strike4PatientCare”

New York City Council Member Brad Lander:

“Health care workers pushed to the breaking point during the pandemic are on the picket line for the fair pay and safe staffing that they and their patients deserve. Solidarity with Buffalo health care workers on #Strike4PatientCare @CWADistrict1”

New York City Council Member Keith Powers:

“After all the sacrifice health care workers have made during the past 18 months, it’s important we support them in their efforts towards better working conditions, pay, and benefits. Proud to stand with these heroes today and everyday.”

For more information or to arrange interviews, contact CWABuffalo@berlinrosen.com