PERIOD 2 PTO UPDATE (#2)

PERIOD 2 PTO UPDATE (#2)

April 7, 2026

Today, CWA met again with Human Resources and Nursing Administration at Buffalo General Medical Center regarding the unilateral changes made to PTO approvals for Period 2. During this meeting, management outlined the unilateral changes they made, how they were implemented, and the overall impact based on the department-by-department review they completed since last Thursday.

Through their internal audit, Kaleida Health identified approximately forty instances where, during non-holiday weeks, PTO was denied. These instances were denied despite the available minimum PTO allotment. These denials were not based on a lack of available time, but rather on how the new process was applied.

The employer has committed that within one week, all non-holiday weeks will be re-reviewed and additional PTO will be approved up to the contractual minimums outlined in Article 27 for most departments. Members impacted by these corrections will receive emails to their Kaleida Health accounts notifying them of additional approved PTO based on their original requests.

The weeks of June 28, July 5, December 20, and December 27 will be addressed separately on a unit-by-unit basis due to broader holiday scheduling concerns. This is because the review of these weeks involves multiple variables, including holidays falling on weekends, three-in-a-row shift requirements, and the overall volume of requests. This issue has not been sidelined. Additional meetings have been scheduled this week to specifically review all requests and schedules to ensure these weeks receive the attention they require.

With the additional unit level reviews taking place this week, a follow-up meeting is scheduled early next week. 

Again, the employer has committed that within one week, all non-holiday weeks will be re-reviewed and additional PTO will be approved up to the contractual minimums outlined in Article 27 for most departments. 

We will continue to provide updates as this process moves forward.

In Solidarity,
The Executive Board of CWA Local 1168