(WESTERN NEW YORK) – More than 200 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Workers East-represented Nursing Home Workers who are employed at four rural facilities across Western New York - the Salamanca Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, the Dunkirk Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, the Eden Rehabilitation and the Nursing Center and Houghton Rehabilitation and Nursing Center - held informational pickets today (Wednesday, February 8th) as they took their fight for a fair contract public.

The Nursing Home Workers at the four facilities are employed as Licensed Practical Nurses, Certified Nurse Assistants, Rehab Aides, Unit Helpers, Housekeeping Aides, Laundry Aides, Dietary Cooks, Dietary Aides, Dietary Assistants and Certified Nurse Assistants in Training.

The Workers were to hold their informational picket at the four locations from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Unionized Caregivers’ current three-year contract expired back on December 31st (2022) and they’ve been bargaining for a new deal for several months now without much progress towards a fair contract, 1199 SEIU Representatives said.

The Workers are demanding competitive wages to recruit and retain Staff to provide care for the facilities’ residents.  Service Workers at the four facilities are earning the area’s minimum wage, which is $14.20, Union Officials said.

Workers say lack of Staff and supplies are making their jobs more difficult at the for-profit facilities. 

“I put in more hours then I call tell you because of short staffing,” Licensed Practical Nurse Sondra Lamacchia, who’s employed at the Salamanca Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, said.  “I just finished my third double shift this week.  If our owner put more money into retaining House Staff then people would want to come work in our facilities.  They don’t want to because they can go down the road to make more money.  We are the only facilities in our area, why wouldn’t you want to invest in your business to provide for residents.”

Kristyl Rodriguez, a Licensed Practical Nurse employed at the Eden Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, said: “It’s like our residents aren’t people anymore, they are commodities.  I’m administering life-saving treatments and life-saving medications, but am being interrupted to do other jobs because we don’t have enough Staff to care for our residents.”

1199 SEIU and Personal Healthcare Management are scheduled to return to the bargaining table on February 14th on behalf of the 200 rural Nursing Home Workers. 

For More On This Labor News Story, Go To: Nursing Home Workers at Two Rural Facilities To Hold Informational Pickets Next Week (1199seiu.org)

1199 SEIU Photo.