(LEWISTON, NEW YORK) - More than 150 Nursing Home Workers employed at Our Lady of Peace in Lewiston, who are represented by 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) United Healthcare Workers East, have been working without a contract since December 31st, 2021.  But on Thursday (February 10th), they held an informational picket to call attention that they describe as major problems inside the Niagara County nursing home.

The Union representing the Niagara County Caregivers, whose 16-month contract expired on December 31st, have been negotiating with Ascension Living since early November (2021).

1199 SEIU Officials say wage standards for Nursing Home Workers across Western New York have increased over the last year and the Our Lady of Peace Workers say their wages are falling below other Caregivers in the area.

In addition, Union Officials say their St. Louis, Missouri-based employer, Ascension Living, isn’t offering competitive wages to recruit and retain Staff at the facility.

Our Lady of Peace recently closed three units while threatening layoffs, exacerbating the staffing crisis and reducing the amount of nursing home beds available to ease overflow from area hospitals, Union Officials and Nursing Home Workers charged.

“A lot of money has been spent on the building, which is great - but the owners need to invest in Workers too,” Our Lady of Peace Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Brendella Pryor said.

“I’ve worked here for (29) years and it’s how I pay my bills.  There’s a lot of places you can go to make more money, but I’ve stayed here for my residents.  I’m invested in their care and providing for them.  We give good care, we come in and do the work, the hard work and want to be paid a competitive wage,” Pryor said.

After an agreement was failed to be reached on Thursday, the Union-represented Workers hit the picket line.

“We made every effort to negotiate fair wages with management, but they didn’t hear us today and so we need to make them listen,” Crescendra Agee, a Cook at the nursing home, said. “They will hear us - on the picket line.”

And, Ascension Living, 1199 SEIU Representatives said, uses Agency Workers at many of their facilities across the country.

“Ascension relies heavily on agency and pays those Workers at a much higher rate, but won’t even pay local dedicated Workers the industry standard for our area,” 1199 SEIU Administrative Organizer Hannah Lorenc said.

According to the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services Payroll Based Journal, 22 out of 28 Ascension Living facilities use Agency Workers to staff their facilities.

Caregivers at Our Lady of Peace are employed as Registered Nurses (RNSs), Nurse Assistants, in CNA-Rehabilitation, Certified Rehabilitation Aides, Direct Care Nurses (Graduate PN), Environmental Services Operators, Housekeeping Aides, Laundry Aides, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Maintenance Technicians, Nurse Assistant Students, Nutrition Services Aides, Nutrition Services Cooks, Cook's Assistants, Porter/Dishwashers, Recreational Aides, Registered Staff Nurses, Senior Housekeeping Aides and Unit Attendants.

1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East - whose mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all, is the largest and fastest-growing Health Care Union in America, and represents more than 400,000 Nurses and Caregivers across the States of New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland and Florida, and in Washington, D.C.

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Photos that appear with this Labor News Story are courtesy of International Union of Painters & Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 4 Representative William Mayer via the Social Network Facebook.