CWA Healthcare Workers Mobilize for Bargaining Win

Healthcare workers represented by CWA Local 1168 and 1199SEIU reached a tentative agreement (TA) earlier this month with Kaleida Health. The three-year contract, if ratified, will cover approximately 8,000 workers, including nurses, professional, technical, clerical, service, and maintenance workers across three hospitals, multiple clinics, two nursing homes, and other work locations across Erie and Niagara Counties.

After five contract extensions, members were able to reach this agreement just two hours ahead of a strike vote. The TA includes wage increases every year of the contract, increases in a number of differentials including shift differential and training pay, as well as increases to pension pay. The TA also includes improvements to staffing levels and an expedited arbitration process. Most notably, union negotiators reached this agreement without any concessions on the part of members.

“With the combination of this contract and New York State staffing law, we can positively impact working conditions for members and provide safe, quality care to our community. We believe this agreement will keep Kaleida Health as the premier employer and best place to receive care in Western New York,” said CWA Local 1168 President and Registered Nurse Cori Gambini. “We reached an agreement the bargaining committee can be proud to bring back to our membership with a strong recommendation for ratification.”

To make this win happen, members relied on consistent communication and polling of workers. The mobilization team consisted of 60 lead mobilizers, including chief stewards, stewards, and rank-and-file members.

Social media played a much larger role in this round of bargaining as members took to platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube to share information and coordinate their efforts. A key piece of the social strategy involved the original animated video series, “Bargaining Basics.” This project breaks down complex topics like open bargaining, strike authorization, and the ratification process using memorable characters, humor, and sharp visual storytelling. Members produced 17 short episodes entirely in-house with a few more planned as they complete the ratification process—from scripting and voiceover to animation and release—ensuring members remain informed and energized all the way to the finish line.

Members will have their chance to approve or reject the agreement. The ratification vote will end on July 24.

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This post originally appeared on cwa-union.org.