BUFFALO, N.Y. — Unionized Kaleida Health employees announced Thursday night they have voted to authorize a strike.
According to union leaders, 75% of union members voted, and of that, 96% voted to strike.
Kaleida Health released a statement Thursday night saying in part, "We are eager to get back to the bargaining table tomorrow. The unions have had to focus on the strike vote, so we have not been able to negotiate the past three days. As we have said all along, we do not want a strike, it will be devastating and dangerous for this community."
Kaleida Heath said they have offered multiple contracts over the past several months, but union leaders have not agreed. Union officials say they are looking for better pay and better staffing levels in their next contract.
Both unions will head back to the bargaining table with Kaleida Health on Friday. Union leaders stress this is only authorization vote, and union leaders need to give Kaleida ten days' notice of strike.
CWA District 1 Area Director, Debbie Hayes, responded to Kaleida’s claim on Friday saying in part, "We are back at the bargaining table today and ready to work with Kaleida to settle a strong, fair contract, but we will not settle for a status quo where quality of care for patients and quality of life for workers continues to diminish. If Kaleida is truly committed to providing the best care to the Buffalo community, management must make a significant investment in order to build back after the pandemic and make the promise of safe staffing ratios a reality.”
