Kaleida Health Workers Brave Buffalo Weather Overwhelmingly Approve New Contracts

1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East
Upstate New York Division                              
Service Employees International Union
974 Kenmore Avenue                     
Buffalo, New York  14216
Telephone:      (716)-982-0540
Fax:            (716)-876-0930
Website:        www.1199seiu.org

MEDIA RELEASE            JANUARY 7, 2009

KALEIDA HEALTH WORKERS BRAVE BUFFALO WEATHER TO OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVE NEW
CONTRACTS

        (Buffalo) - 1199 SEIU members working at the Kaleida Health System
braved freezing rain, sleet, and snow today to vote overwhelming approval
for new labor agreements.  The ratification ends ten months of negotiations
with management.  With over 1200 workers voting, the new pact was ratified
by a 97% margin.

        The new contract is retroactive to June 1, 2008, when the old
agreement expired, and extends to May 31, 2011.

        Highlights of the new contract include:

        - Base pay increases of between of +13.1% and 16.4%.

        - Substantial increases in shift differential, charge and lead pay,
and trainer/preceptor pay.

        - Improvement in retirement benefits for senior employees in
several of the current plans.

        - Some employees will see improvements in health insurance and
dental benefits.

        - In addition, more than one in eight employees will receive
greater pay increases due to upgrades in their positions.

        Union officials characterized the final settlement as "a very
significant economic package, especially in light of today's economy."
Although the Union did not achieve the goal of a single pension fund
covering all 1199 SEIU members, improvements were made in two existing
retirement plans, including an enhanced contribution for nurses and service
workers at Women and Children's, and up to $1,000 into a 401(k) for
employees in Kaleida's cash balance plan.

        "Both parties worked very hard to find a solution to a difficult
problem amid a constantly deteriorating economy." said George Kennedy, the
union's Executive Vice-president and chief negotiator.

        1199 SEIU members in Kaleida work at Women and Children's Hospital
of Buffalo, Buffalo General Hospital, Millard Fillmore Gates Circle and
Suburban Hospitals, and in many outpatient facilities and offices located
throughout Erie County.  They also provide health services for
approximately fifty public schools in Buffalo.  They work as registered
nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, medical
technologists and technicians, pharmacists, administrative, business office
clerical, service, and maintenance employees.

For further information: Franchelle Hart at (716) 289-1280, or Bruce Popper
at (585) 746-0478.