Strong New Workplace Violence Language At Kaleida Healthcare

A massive mobilization by members of CWA Local 1168 led to a new contract and real protections against workplace violence.

Health care workers in New York State's Kaleida network of hospitals and health care centers won a new workplace violence committee and a first-time commitment from Kaleida management to address the issue as part of contract negotiations last year.

Women workers, members of CWA Local 1168/Nurses United and the majority of the workforce at Kaleida, increasingly are the victims of unprovoked violent attacks, from unstable, mentally disturbed or angry patients, and their family and visitors.

Nurses and other health care workers in the Kaleida system have been beaten and lost consciousness, said CWA Local 1168 safety and health director Dana McCarthy. He and others also worry that without strong protections, violence could follow workers into the emergency room.

"We treat victims of gang violence, and a lingering worry is whether what started on the street is going to be finished in the ER," McCarthy said.

Kaleida's commitment to sit down and address workers' concerns over workplace violence and safety came only as a result of a long contract battle that also addressed wages, benefits, and adequate staffing, among other issues.

A massive mobilization march last year by more than 4,000 members of CWA Local 1168 and other unions, plus a strike vote, persuaded Kaleida that workers and their demands were serious.

"Kaleida underestimated our membership, but our mobilization showed them that we weren't going to stand for any take backs," said Local President John Klein.

The local's workplace violence committee has been meeting with Kaleida monthly, to develop a comprehensive policy with specific steps to protect workers from violence. Kaleida has committed to review the committee's recommendations this spring, but Klein says a commitment isn't a guarantee.

I think Kaleida is moving in the right direction, but it's going to be a struggle to get what we want. Management, unfortunately, puts a dollar cost on everything. But, we're in it for the long haul," Klein said.