BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A contract impasse between Kaleida Health and the unions that represent 7,200 of its employees has ended.
Kaleida announced in the early morning hours of Wednesday that an agreement had been reached, covering over 100 articles, memorandums of understanding and letters. The announcement of a deal came hours before a planned informational picket by the unions involved.
Kaleida said the three-year agreement is based on the following criteria:
- All employees will benefit financially.
- Kaleida Health will make additional staffing commitments.
- It incentivizes employees to utilize the Kaleida Health family when it comes to their health care needs.
- It works within Kaleida Health’s economic framework.
- It positions the organization to continue to deliver the highest quality of care for our community well into the future.
The unions involved, Communications Workers of America/AFL-CIO (CWA1168), International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE 17) and 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East had yet to comment on the deal as of the time this article was written. They had maintained that they were fighting for more staffing, better wages and improved patient care.
Full details of the contract were not immediately available. Kaleida said they would be released soon, as the agreement must be ratified by union membership in the next few weeks.
Negotiations began in early March. Representatives for all sides attended over 50 bargaining sessions, according to Kaleida. The previous contract expired on June 21 when talks hit a standstill. The parties took a break from negotiations for the rest of the month, returning to the table on July 1.
