CWA Local 1168 Temporary Administration - Update #6

Restructuring of 13S, 14S and 15S at the Buffalo General Hospital Medical Center

On Tuesday, August 25, 2026 the Union received a Job Security presentation on the restructuring of 13S, 14S and 15S. We were informed these units would be converted from telemetry to medical-surgical units. Moving forward, 12S, 13N and 14N will be the dedicated telemetry unit. The restructuring will have a significant impact on staffing as the ratios move from 1 to 4 for telemetry units to 1 to 5 for medical-surgical units. Each unit will experience a decrease in the number of RN FTEs on the floor. Affected employees will all receive their options as outlined in Article 51 of the contract, Layoff and Recall.

The change will become effective in January, 2027.

Weingarten/Contractual Rights

Please remember that whenever you are called into an investigatory meeting with management or are going to receive a counseling/discipline, you are entitled to and should be offered a Union Representative. If you are not offered a Union Representative, you should request one and not start the meeting until one has been provided. This is critical information to know, as we are hearing from some members that managers are holding meetings without offering Union representation. This is a violation of the contract and the law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!

Kaleida Health: 2025 Social Security Incorrect or Unreported Earnings

In recent weeks, CWA Local 1168 received reports from a few members who indicated unreported or incorrectly reported earnings for 2025 to Social Security.

We made an inquiry to Kaleida Health last week and the inquiry was escalated to James Reddick, Senior Director of HR with oversight of payroll, HR technology and people experience.

The response we received on Wednesday indicated there was a recent re-submission by ADP of employee’s reports that were identified to be rejected by the SSA (Social Security Administration) for demographic errors including wrong SS#’s, and others. We contemporaneously received more first-hand reports from Union Representatives that their own information (or that of others) was incorrect or unreported to SSA. That information was immediately forwarded to Kaleida.

Thursday morning Kaleida met with ADP and identified additional information regarding the 2025 reporting issue. More analysis is being done to ascertain the full scope of employees potentially impacted.

Kaleida launched a reconciliation process of 2025 payroll and W2 information transmitted through ADP to determine the complete scope and breadth of the issue and corrections necessary.

As we get more information, it will be shared with the membership and continue to be addressed until the matter is completely resolved.

Until then, if you have any questions or concerns you may direct to Kaleida or call the Union Office at 716-639-1168.

REMINDER: Town Hall Next Wednesday at 6:30pm

Town Hall Call
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
6:30 to 8:00 pm
Dial In Number: 1-855-840-6970

If we have a home phone or cell phone number for you, a call will be placed to that number at 6:30 pm. You only need to dial in if we do not have your number. If you would like to get a number on file at the Union office, please call 716-639-1168 and one of our Administrative Assistants can help you!