(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) - Nearly 350 Nursing Home Workers employed at four Western New York area for-profit facilities have overwhelmingly ratified new multi-year contracts, while Union Workers employed at two other area facilities have authorized five-day strikes in their continued fight for a fair contract, 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) United Healthcare Workers East Officials announced. 

Caregivers are part of a joint campaign of more than 1,200 Nursing Home Workers at 12 for-profit facilities across Western New York who held one-day strikes back in mid-July. 

Settlements reached at an additional four facilities late last week now bring the total of for-profit nursing home settlements to 10 of 12, leaving Workers at Humboldt House for Nursing & Rehabilitation in Buffalo and at Fiddler’s Green Manor in Springville without contracts.

Workers covered by the ratified agreements provide care at Elderwood at Williamsville, Elderwood at Lockport, Gowanda Nursing & Rehabilitation and Newfane Rehabilitation & Health Center.

They are employed as Licensed Practical Nurses, Certified Nurse Assistants, Personal Care Attendants, Housekeeping, Dietary Aides, Cooks, Laundry Aides and Maintenance Workers.

The new agreement for Workers employed at Elderwood at Lockport and Elderwood at Williamsville includes significant wage adjustments for experienced Workers, 3% pension increases in each year of the agreement, increases in shift differentials, a new weekend differential, and increased Paid Time-Off Buy Back.

Workers also secured a $15 per hour start rate for all Service Workers beginning next year. 

The contract also includes a retroactive bonus.

The for-profit employer has also agreed to Juneteenth as a paid holiday.

The new agreement for both Elderwood facilities runs through June 30th, 2024. 
The new three-year agreement at Gowanda Nursing & Rehabilitation includes a new standard starting rate for Licensed Practical Nurses, wage scales based on experience in all job titles, a $15 starting rate for all Service Workers beginning next year, additional wage increases for long term Employees, increased shift differential and mentor pay.

The Union-represented Health Care Workers will also get 3% pension increases in each year of the contract, along with increased employer contributions to dental and optical. 

The new three-year agreement with Gowanda Nursing & Rehabilitation runs through April 30th, 2025.

The new three-year agreement for Workers employed at the Newfane Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Niagara County includes $15 per hour for all Service Workers, wage scales for all job titles, additional raises for long term Employees, increased employer contributions to health insurance, and a 3% increase to pension contributions in each year of the contract.

Workers will also get Juneteenth as a paid holiday.

The new three-year agreement runs until December 2025.

To Continue Reading This Labor News Report, Go To: www.1199seiu.org/media-center/1199seiu-nursing-home-workers-elderwood-lockport-elderwood-williamsville-gowanda-nursing-rehabilitation-and-newfane-rehabilitati