(SALAMANCA) - This Friday (May 23rd), Health Care Workers Represented 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Workers East and Employed at 11 Absolut Care Nursing Homes Across Western New York and the Southern Tier Will Participate in an Informational Picket at the Absolut Care Facility in Salamanca, Union Officials Announced.

The Afternoon Picket Will Be One of “Many Job Actions” Scheduled to Take Place at Absolut Facilities Across the Region Over the Next Month, 1199 SEIU Representatives said.  The Action Comes After Negotiations on a New Contract Negotiations Have Made “Little Progress,” they add.  The Current Agreement, Which Expired Back on April 30th, Covers More Than 900 Absolut Care Employees.  Major Issues Center on Wages, Health Insurance and Retirement Security, 1199 SEIU Officials said.

Absolut Care is a For-Profit Nursing Home Chain Headquartered in New York City.  The Contract Between Absolut Care and 1199 SEIU Covers Absolut Facilities in Dunkirk, Gasport, Orchard Park, Allegany, Aurora Park, Salamanca, Houghton, Endicott, Eden and Westfield.

The Picket That Will Be Held in Salamanca Will be Followed by Further Pickets if a Fair Settlement is Not Reached, 1199 SEIU Officials said.  Bargaining is Scheduled for Wednesday (May 21st) and Wednesday, May 28th.  To Date, Absolut Has Offered a 1% Wage Increase Over Three Years and a $5 a Week Contribution Toward the Cost of Health Insurance, Union Representatives said.

“The Wage and Benefit Levels at Absolut are ‘Far Below’ the Industry Standard” 1199 SEIU Vice President Todd Hobler said. “Many of the Care Givers at Absolut Live in Poverty, Can’t Afford the Health Insurance and Have ‘Nothing’ for Retirement.  We are Fighting to Improve This Situation.”

Mike Reynolds, Who’s Been Employed as a Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) for 10 Years at the Salamanca Facility, said: “We’re Honest, Hard-Working, Dedicated Employees Here at Absolut Salamanca, Providing Care for the Residents of Our Community.  Some of Us Have Given a ‘Lifetime of Service’ Here.  We ‘Deserve’ a Secure Pension and Affordable Health Insurance, and Wages That Ensure We Can Take Care of Our Families.”

With More Than 400,000 Member Nurses and Caregivers, 1199 SEIU - Whose Mission is to Achieve Quality Care and Good Jobs for All - is the Largest and Fastest-Growing Health Care Union in the United States, Representing More Than 10,000 Health Care Workers Across Western New York, as well as Throughout the States of New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts and Florida, as Well as Washington, D.C.