Negotiations between Catholic Health hospitals and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union are ongoing as hospital leaders presented a new wage and benefit proposal to union representatives last Friday. The offer includes increased salaries, maintenance of pension and health benefits, and staffing ratios intended to support employees while ensuring quality patient care at Kenmore Mercy Hospital, Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, and Sisters of Charity Hospital—St. Joseph Campus.
Talks began in March under the direction of a new senior leadership team at Catholic Health, led by President & CEO Joyce Markiewicz and a newly appointed Chief Nursing Officer. The negotiations have involved an impartial mediator, with both sides exchanging several economic proposals over recent weeks for nearly 3,000 associates across the three hospitals.
The latest proposal would see entry-level nurses starting at $41.79 per hour before additional pay for night shifts, extra hours, or bonuses is factored in. Catholic Health has also emphasized that its health insurance plan remains one of the most comprehensive traditional plans available locally, with a prescription program leveraging system-wide buying power.
Markiewicz stated: “We put on the table an economic package that provides our valued nurses and team members with salaries and benefits that are highly competitive in our region. We urge all our associates to educate themselves on what the hospitals offered so they can understand how far we’ve come together in their favor in the face of national healthcare uncertainty.”
Despite these developments, CWA has called for a strike authorization vote scheduled for September 8. In response to this announcement, Markiewicz said: “After eight months of fair and realistic bargaining, we believe our latest offer gets our associates to where they want to be. We believe that this commitment clearly demonstrates how much we value our nurses and staff, who along with our physicians, provide the high-quality care Catholic Health is known for.”
