(LEWISTON, NEW YORK) - More than 150 Nursing Home Workers who are employed at Ascension Living at Our Lady of Peace in Lewiston are celebrating a huge victory over a subsidiary of the Nation’s largest Catholic Health System.

The Niagara County Health Caregivers, who are represented by 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) United Healthcare Workers East, had been working without a contract since December 31st, 2021 when their 16-month contract expired.  But on Friday (April 1st), the Workers ratified a new 20-month agreement that includes higher starting wage rates and significant raises that credit years of experience for all Bargaining Unit Members. 

The agreement includes a one-time bonus of $1,000 for full-time Workers and a $500 bonus for part-time Workers. 

The Unionized Caregivers also maintained their current health insurance plans and won increases in employer contribution to dental and optical insurance. 

And, the agreement also includes more than a 7% increase in the employers’ pension contribution.

Workers will also see a 10% increase to payout of unused extended illness bank hours upon retirement and increases in shift differential amongst all job titles.

Caregivers also won daily overtime after 7.5 hours and weekly overtime after 37.5 hours.

In response to Worker concerns regarding Ascension Living’s refusal to negotiate hazard pay throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, the company agreed to negotiations with the Union should another public health emergency arise.

“We’re pleased that Ascension Living is finally working with us to get more Staff in the building to help us take care of our residents,” Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Krista Diez said.

“Now that we have finally settled, this should open up opportunities to bring in more Staff,” added LPN Jacqulyn Vincent.

The Niagara County Nursing Home Workers held a one-day Strike last month and were threatened with a four day lock-out by their St. Louis-based employer. And, probationary Workers were written up for participating in the Strike. 

1199 SEIU subsequently filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on both issues, alleging that locking out Workers for longer than their one-day strike was against Workers’ rights - and that Probationary Workers have the right to participate in job actions.

Ascension Living subsequently rescinded the lock-out threat and removed the write-ups from the Probationary Employees’ records.

Caregivers at Ascension Living are employed as Registered Nurses (RNs), Nurse Assistants, Certified Nurse Assistant-Rehabilitation, Certified Rehabilitation Aides, Direct Care Nurse (Graduate PN), Environmental Services Operators, Housekeeping Aides, Laundry Aide, LPNs, Maintenance Technicians, Nurse Assistant Student, Nutrition Services Aides, Nutrition Services Cook, Cook's Assistant, 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, as well as in Washington, D.C.

To Read This Labor News Report In Its Entirety, Go To: www.1199seiu.org/magazine/lewiston-nursing-home-workers-unanimously-vote-ratify-20-month-agreement-largest-catholic-health-system-us