Bargaining Update

Kaleida Health

Bargaining at Kaleida Health in western New York began this week. The workers are covered by a contract that is set to expire May 31. The contract covers nearly 8,000 employees, including more than 4,000 workers represented by CWA. CWA Local 1168 and 1199 SEIU bargaining committee members have been meeting regularly to prepare for their joint contract campaign. Mobilizers attended one of these meetings last week to hear from the Catholic Health strike team about their experiences on the picket line. Last year, CWA-represented workers at Catholic Health held a successful strike for a fair contract that raised standards for workers and patient care.

CWA Local 1168 and 1199 SEIU bargaining committee members met to prepare for bargaining with Kaleida Health.

###

LifePath

CWA Local 13500 members are bargaining a new agreement with LifePath, an organization that serves individuals with disabilities. Several important issues remain unresolved including LifePath’s demand to cut back on short term disability benefits and force employees to use their paid time off days prior to receiving any benefit at all.

After the company received new state funding earlier this year, CWA and LifePath entered into an agreement to immediately provide a minimum $2 per hour increase to every bargaining unit employee and resume negotiations for a new contract.

###

The Leaguers, Inc.

Last Thursday, workers at the Leaguers, Inc., members of CWA Local 1037, stepped up their mobilization efforts ahead of their second bargaining session and delivered a petition to management demanding transparency surrounding COVID-19 funds. The Leaguers, Inc. is a multipurpose, non-profit, social services organization providing various services to the community including head start and early head start services. CWA Local 1037 represents full-time and regular part-time teachers, associate teachers, teaching assistants, family advocates, child care providers, home visitor specialists, nutrition specialists, food service workers, custodians, and other employees.