Strike Victory! CWA and Catholic Health Reach Groundbreaking Agreement

Over the weekend, after a year of difficult negotiations and a month-long strike, healthcare workers at Catholic Health’s Mercy, St. Joseph’s, and Kenmore Mercy hospitals overwhelmingly voted by a margin of 94% to 6% to ratify a new four-year contract. This contract was the result of a powerful 5-week strike by 2,000 healthcare workers and members of CWA Local 1133, who stood out on the picket line from 5 a.m. to midnight each day demanding safe staffing, competitive wages and no concessions on benefits.

Faced with the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic, the workers stayed united and determined while encouraged by an outpouring of support from community members, elected officials, and other union members. They picketed in harsh weather, stood toe-to-toe with scabs, shared their stories with the media, and engaged elected officials and the public to win this groundbreaking contract that has set a higher standard for healthcare workers. The new contract, covering workers at all three Catholic Health hospitals, includes across the board wage increases with no worker starting below $15/hr, a historic breakthrough in staffing ratios that make it safer for the workers and improve quality of care for patients, and no concessions on health care and pension plans. Click here to learn more.