(GRAND ISLAND, NEW YORK) - The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued a Summary Judgement ordering Elderwood at Grand Island to bargain with 1199 Service Employees Union (SEIU) United Healthcare Workers East, as the Board ruled as “the exclusive Collective Bargaining Representative” of the Employees employed at the Western New York nursing home, the Union announced today (Wednesday, July 26th).

Workers at the long-term care facility voted to Go Union with SEIU in October of 2016.  However, since that time, Elderwood has refused to recognize the Union and has not responded to repeated requests from 1199 SEIU to begin negotiations.

The NLRB also found Elderwood’s conduct in violation of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

“We are ‘simply asking Elderwood to abide by the law,’” 1199 SEIU Vice President Todd Hobler said. “This has ‘gone on too long.’” 

The vote that was held nine months ago - where the majority of the Workers at Elderwood’s Grand Island facility affirmed their wish to be represented by 1199 SEIU - “must be respected,” he said.  

The more than 100 Employees who are covered by the Bargaining Unit at Elderwood at Grand Island include Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Activity Leaders, Physical Therapy Aides, Cooks, Dietary Aides, Housekeepers, Laundry Aides, Unit Clerks and Receptionists.

Elderwood at Grand Island Workers held an informational picket in April (pictured above) to protest the company’s continued refusal to recognize their Union and bargain a contract.

The hope now is the NLRB’s summary judgement will move Elderwood to the bargaining table, 1199 SEIU Officials said.

“We ‘just want a fair contract like other 1199 nursing home workers in the area,’” said Rachael Kerrison, an LPN employed at Elderwood at Grand Island. “We work ‘really hard’ providing care and services to our residents.  ‘We deserve to be heard and we deserve respect.’”

1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East - the largest and fastest-growing Health Care Union in the nation whose mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all - represents more than 5,000 Long-Term Care Workers in Western New York and more than 400,000 Members in the States of New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida, as well as in Washington, D.C.