(LOCKPORT, NEW YORK) - Nursing Home Workers represented by 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Workers East in Western New York are fighting for a fair contract following seven months of negotiations with Elderwood Nursing Facilities in Erie and Niagara Counties.

On Wednesday (May 25th), more than 50 Nursing Home Workers employed at Elderwood’s Facility in Lockport in Niagara County held an informational picket regarding the need for a new contract.  Their old agreement expired back on December 31st, 2021.

“Elderwood is one of six for-profit, out-of-town employer groups (that 1199 SEIU is) currently engaged in contract negotiations with,” said Grace Bogdanove, who serves as 1199 SEIU Vice-President for Western New York Nursing Homes.

“Unsurprisingly, Elderwood and the other employers have presented near identical wage proposals, refusing to meet recently won area wage standards during a time of critical staffing and on the heels of much-needed nursing home reform.  1199 Members care for the most vulnerable members of our community and the employers’ proposals aim to suppress wages in order to maximize profits at the cost of quality resident care,” she said.

1199 SEIU represents more than 1,200 Unionized Nursing Home Workers whose contracts are expired including both Elderwood at its Erie County Facility in Williamsville and in Lockport.

Union-represented Nursing Home Workers employed at AutumnView Manor, the Buffalo Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation, the Ellicott Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation, Fiddler's Green Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Garden Gate Manor, the Gowanda Rehab & Nursing, the Humboldt Nursing Home, Newfane Rehabilitation, North Gate Manor and the Seneca Health Care Center all have expired or soon-to-expire contracts.

The 12 facilities with expired or soon-to-expire Union contracts are located across Western New York and are owned by six different for-profit, out-of-town ownership groups.

However, New York State Nursing Home Reform Laws could make negotiations more difficult leading to potential job actions and involving Elected Officials in contract fights, Union Representatives said.

Six of the 12 facility ownership groups currently in Union negotiations are participants in a lawsuit against new Nursing Home Reform Laws that set requirements on spending.

The new Law requires owners spend 70% of their nursing home revenue on direct care to residents, 40% of which is to be spent on staffing the facility.

Elderwood at Lockport workers have joined Elderwood at Williamsville Workers in their demand for a fair contract with competitive wages to help recruit and retain Workers.

Service workers at both sites earn the area Minimum Wage of $13.20 per hour.

Union contracts at both sites have now expired.

Workers at the Lockport site also say short staffing is a problem.

“I’ve been an aide for years and earning less than ($15) per hour and I was getting pulled in to care for COVID patients,” says Jennifer Smith, a Certified Nurse Assistant (CAN).

“How do they expect us to feed our children or pay our rent?  We have to pick up extra shifts just to manage our money.  We are working so many hours and how are these residents getting the care they need when we are physically and mentally exhausted,” Smith said.

To Continue Reading This Labor News Story, Go To: www.1199seiu.org/media-center/nursing-home-workers-held-picket-second-elderwood-site-over-poor-staffing-and-low-wages-today