Union members vote on Kaleida contract

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Union negotiations with Kaleida Health that went down to the wire could be all wrapped up by the end of the day.

At the Hearthstone Manor in Depew, the rank and file from three unions at Kaleida are voting on a new two year contract that would give them a three percent wage increase, while basically holding the line on benefits.

Buffalo General Patient Care Associate Anne Lewis said, “They're in a bind. Everybody's trying to help out and do the best that they can.”

The tentative agreement now coming to a vote was reached following an informational picket that was staged just hours before the unions were to take a strike vote.

SEIU Local 1199 Vice President Jim Scordato said, “That informational picket we think after that happened, Kaleida move on a lot of items that they were holding steady to.”

Kaleida calls the agreement "fair," and "market competitive (regarding) wages, benefits and employment conditions," especially in an uncertain economy and health industry.

In June, Kaleida Health CEO James Kaskie said, “We don't know much more than two years about the future, so let's hedge our bets together. Let's figure out that there's a transition plan that we have here while we sort things out.”

Some of the older union members among the 8,000 impacted by the contract were hoping for buy out offers. That is not part of the agreement.

News 4 Senior Correspondent Rich Newberg was told, the unions have an agreement with Kaleida to sit down and discuss possible incentives for veterans to retire.

Union workers voting range from nurses to clerical to people in the warehouse. They would all lose a personal day in the contract and some will have to contribute a minimum amount toward health insurance.

Buffalo General Nurse Practitioner Michele Ambor Hutz said, “A lot of us had free family coverage so now we have to make a minimal payment towards our family coverage,which again, given the state of the economy that I have family coverage is a good thing.”

Voting continues at the Hearthstone until 9 p.m. Tuesday. Union leaders are hoping the rank and file will vote "yes."