(LOCKPORT, NEW YORK) – Nearly 200 Health Care Workers represented by 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU), United Healthcare Workers East who are employed at Eastern Niagara Hospital in Lockport have unanimously voted to ratify a new two-year agreement with their employer, the Union has announced.

1199SEIU members at Eastern Niagara Hospital work as Registered Nurses (RNs) and Technicians at the facility in Lockport.   

Under the new contract that expires on March 31st, 2023, both Part-Time and Full-Time Workers will receive a one-time retention bonus.

The agreement also includes a 2.25% general wage increase.

There were no concessions, 1199 SEIU Officials said.

Front Line Caregivers have worked extremely hard battling COVID-19 during the pandemic and feel appreciated by hospital management, the Union said.

“While negotiating at the bargaining table, it was nice to hear how much Eastern Niagara Hospital values our Members and it is reflected in our contract,” says Bill Perry, Patient Account Specialist and Union Delegate.  “We were able to agree to a fair contract with no concessions.”

Despite securing a new two-year agreement, Workers remain concerned about their future.

As reported in Buffalo Business First, Catholic Health plans to shut down the 134-bed Lockport site and build a new hospital, which will operate as a second campus of Mount St. Mary’s Hospital.

Eastern Niagara has been struggling financially for several years and last Summer filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection.

Mount St. Mary’s Hospital is operated by Catholic Health and Workers at that site are also represented by 1199 SEIU.

“I have worked at ENH for thirty-eight years and I am concerned about our Community hospital,” RN Louise Williams said.  “It was refreshing that management and Workers were able to quickly negotiate the terms of our new agreement, which benefits both Workers and management.  Now, we are ready to work on a bridging agreement with Catholic Health.”

Although, 1199 SEIU has requested a meeting with Catholic Health management, to date, no meeting has been scheduled between the two sides. 

1199 SEIU Vice-President for WNY Hospitals Jim Scordato said “with negotiations complete, the next step is to negotiate a bridging agreement between Union Members and the two organizations - Eastern Niagara Hospital and the second Campus of Mount St. Mary’s Hospital.” 

1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East - whose mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all, represents more than 400,000 Nurses and Caregivers throughout the states of Florida, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, and in Washington, D.C. and Florida.