(ROCHESTER, NEW YORK) – 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Workers East-represented Caregivers employed at the Pearl Nursing Center in Rochester have overwhelmingly voted to ratify a three-year agreement, Union Officials announced.  The new Union Contract comes after months of negotiations and an informational picket that was held outside the nursing home in December.  

The new contract runs until April 30th, 2025 and covers 80 Nursing Home Workers employed at the Pearl Nursing Center in Rochester, including CNAs, LPNs, Cooks, Secretaries, Activities Aides, Laundry Workers, Dietary Workers, Maintenance Workers and Housekeepers.

“Everyone benefits from this contract,” Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Milagros Quintana said.  “It’s been years since we had a contract like this.  I have been in this industry for twenty-five years and this new contract means job security for me.  Our voices were heard.”

Most Caregivers will receive a general wage increase in each year of the agreement, including: 3% in the first year - except Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and CNAs; a 2.65% in the second year; and 2.65% in the third year.  LPNs and CNAs will now have substantial wage scales based on years of experience and will receive a general wage increase in the second and third year of the agreement, 1199 SEIU Officials said. 

In addition to wage increases, Union Members will receive a one-time bonus upon ratification.

Full-Time Workers will receive $275 and Part-Time Workers will receive $150.

To help with staffing issues, all Workers on evening and night shifts will receive a shift differential, Union Officials said. 

The three-year deal also limits the use of Agency Workers to 17% of the Caregivers in the facility.

The contract also allows regular Caregivers to pick up shifts before outside agency personnel are called in, 1199 SEIU Representatives said. 

The Union and management also agreed to create a committee to address any staffing issues at the nursing home in hopes of improving continuity of care for residents. 

To retain and attract more Workers, the employer agreed to offer the 1199 SEIU Training & Employment Fund starting March 1st, 2024. 

In addition to newly-added training and education benefits, Workers will also receive increases in employer provided pension contributions, one additional sick day, and Juneteenth as an additional paid holiday. 

The employer also agreed to contribute 50% of the premium for dental coverage. 

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