(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) - More than 25 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) United Healthcare East-represented Professional and Technical Nursing Home Workers employed at Absolut Care of Aurora Park and Absolut Care of Allegany will postpone a planned week-long Strike after reaching a two-year tentative agreement. 

The Rehabilitation Unit Workers at the two Absolut Care facilities had been working without a contract since their previoustwo2-year contract expired on April 30th (2023). 

The Unionized Caregivers at Absolut Care of Aurora Park and Absolut Care of Allegany (dba as RCA Servicer at Aurora Park, LLC & RCA Servicer at Allegany, LLC) have been bargaining for a fair contract for several months and had overwhelmingly voted to authorize a week-long Strike, which is now postponed while they are given an opportunity to review the agreement and then vote on it. 

The Professional and Technical Union Nursing Home Workers at both facilities are employed as full- and -part-time Occupational Therapists, Speech/Language Pathologists, Physical Therapists, Dieticians, Social Workers, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA), and Sports Trainers.

“We are happy we were able to reach an agreement,” said Joshua Previte, an Occupational Therapist at Absolute Care of Aurora Park.  “Now, we need to take the agreement back to Members, let them review it, ask questions and vote.”

A contract ratification vote is scheduled to be held this week at both facilities.

Details of the agreement will not be made public until after the vote is held. 

Absolut Care of Aurora Park and Absolut Care of Allegany are currently undergoing a change in ownership through New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).  The for-profit residential health care facilities will be owned by Orly Lieberman, Michael Farbenblum, Menachem Tauber and Mordechai Mendlowitz once the application for the change is approved by the NYSDOH.

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 the United States and represents more than 400,000 Nurses and Caregivers throughout the States of New York, New Jersey, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, and in Washington, D.C.