(KENMORE, NEW YORK) - Joined by Resident Family Members, Labor Organizations and Elected Officials, dozens of Unionized Nursing Home Workers hit the picket line in the Buffalo Suburb of Kenmore on Wednesday (November 29th) in the wind and cold to protest over the continuity of care, reliance on Agency Workers and a lack of competitive wages at one of Western New York’s last Non-Profit Nursing Homes

A two-year contract covering the Union Workers at Schofield Residence expired on November 17th – which followed one extension from October 30th.  The expired contract comes with an increase in Worker unrest across the U.S. and an uptick in Workers voting to join Labor Unions.

1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) United Healthcare Workers East represents Licensed Practical Nurses, Certified Nurse Assistants, Physical Therapy Assistants, Housekeepers, Laundry Workers, Dietary Aides, Environmental Services Aides and Maintenance Workers at the Schofield Residence. 

The Nursing Home Workers are fighting for competitive wages to help retain and recruit permanent Workers to care for residents, who are now relying heavily on Agency Workers. 

With the inconsistent nature of agency work, continuity of care for residents may be impacted - and that is exactly why the Caregivers are demanding more from their employer. 

"Our residents need regular faces that they are familiar with and comfortable with, so we can get our work done and they can have their peace,” Certified Nurse Assistant Samira McClure said. 

"This is the resident's home,” Physical Therapist Assistant Stephanie Ezak said.  “They want to see familiar faces and build a connection with their Caretakers, but Schofield chooses to pay Agency Workers to come in at a higher cost than to make sure their Employees are paid fairly for their work.  I could go someplace that will pay me more money - what is deserved, but I choose to stay at Schofield because it is a nice place to work and I'm here to care for the residents.”  

Negotiations are set to resume on Thursday, December 7th.  

To Read This Labor News Report In Its Entirety, Go To: https://www.1199seiu.org/media-center/kenmore-nursing-home-workers-picket-over-continuity-care-reliance-agency-workers-lack-competitive-wages-one-western-new-yorks-la

Photo Courtesy Of 1199 SEIU.