(IRVING) - 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has Filed Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) Charges Against the TLC Health Network for Refusing to Bargain in Good Faith Over the Terms of the Closure of the Southern Tier Hospital and Nursing Home. 

The Union, Which Represents More Than 200 TLC Workers Employed at the Chautauqua County Town of Irving Facility, has been in Negotiations with Hospital/Nursing Home Management Since the Facility Announced Plans to Close Several Months Ago.

TLC has Repeatedly Rejected Proposals made by 1199 SEIU and Will Not Commit to Paying Out Accrued Time of Employees or Assure Insurance Coverage will be Maintained, Union Officials said.  In Addition, the Employer has also Refused to Guarantee Hours of Work for Current Workers Who Stay On.  “TLC is Moving Rapidly to Shut Down Operations With ‘No Regard’ for the Welfare of the Workers, Many of Whom have Dedicated Their Lives to Providing Quality Health Care to this Community,” 1199 SEIU Vice President Todd Hobler said.  

TLC has Informed the Union It Will Be Filing Bankruptcy at Any Time and has Submitted a New Plan of Closure with the New York State Department of Health (DOH).  The New Closure Date is January 14th, 2014.  However, Union Officials say there is a “Very Real Possibility” the Facility Will Shut Down Before Then, According to Both TLC and the Department of Health.

The Union has Advised All TLC Employees to Make Decisions About Their Future on the Assumption the Hospital and Nursing Home Will No Longer Be In Operation By the End of This Month.  1199 SEIU Plans to Hold a Job Fair on December 19th at the Silver Creek VFW. However, Union Officials say TLC Has Refused to Participate.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CAN) Kathy Paglia, a 10-Year TLC Nursing Home Employee, was Hopeful Negotiations with TLC Would Help Employees Make the Transition to Other Jobs: “We Expected TLC Would Try To Do the ‘Right Thing’ By Us.  Instead, TLC Refused to Give Us any Assurances or Guarantees and Offered Us ‘No’ Assistance - Leaving Us Out in the Cold.”

Betsy Ramos, a Phlebotomy Technician Who’s Worked at TLC for 18 years, was Both Disappointed and Angry Over the Way TLC is Treating Its Long-Time Employees: “I Just Want to be Treated Fairly. I’ve Dedicated My Life to This Place.”