(WESTERN NEW YORK) – Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)-Represented Workers Employed at Two Western New York Nursing Homes – Which Were Formerly Owned by Counties - Have Voted to Approve Contracts With Their New Employers, Union Representatives Announced Monday (January 12th).

On January 5th, CSEA Members Overwhelmingly Approved a Five-Year Deal With VestraCare, the New Operator of the Former Chautauqua County Nursing Home in the Chautauqua County/Southern Tier City of Dunkirk. 

And On January 6th, CSEA Union Members Approved a Five-Year Deal With Comprehensive Healthcare, Which Now Operates The Villages of Orleans in Albion/Orleans County.

Both - Formerly County Homes - Officially Were Transferred to the Private Companies On New Year’s Day.

“These Companies Have Shown a ‘Commitment’ to the Residents and to the Workers,” CSEA Western Region 6 President Flo Tripi said. “They Came Into Negotiations Sharing ‘Our Goals,’ and They ‘Honored’ the Workers’ Experience and Dedication to Quality Care.”

Both Contracts Provide Wages Comparable to Former Agreements and Also Retain the Former County Employees’ Seniority, Offer Health Insurance and Provide Other Terms and Conditions Geared Toward Maintaining an Experienced and Dedicated Staff for the Residents.

“VestraCare and Comprehensive Healthcare Know That Quality Care Will Suffer if You Lose Good, Long-Term Workers and Replace Them With Low-Paid, Inexperienced Staff,” CSEA Private Sector Director Bob Compani said.  “These Companies are Not Willing to Punish Good Workers for Profit.  They are Looking to Make Changes the ‘Right Way,’ to Continue to Provide Quality Care and to Protect Middle Class Jobs.”

CSEA - New York State’s Leading Union - Represents a Variety of New York State’s Public Employees Who are Employed by its Counties, Towns, Villages, School Districts, Library Systems, Authorities and Public Corporations.

Together With a Growing Population of Private Sector Members and Retirees, CSEA Forms a Union That’s 290,000 Strong.  It is Also the Largest Affiliate (Local 1000) of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Which, in Turn, is One of the Largest Affiliates of the National AFL-CIO.