(KENMORE, NEW YORK) - More than 75 Nursing Home Workers employed at Kenmore’s Schofield Residence have voted to ratify a 17-month contract with their employer, 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Representatives announced. 

The new labor deal comes amid an increase in Worker unrest across the country and an uptick in Workers voting to join Labor Unions. 

The new contract covers Licensed Practical Nurses, Certified Nurse Assistants, Nurse Aide Trainees, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapist Assistants, Housekeepers, Laundry Workers, Dietary Aides, Hospitality Aides, Environmental Services Aides, and Maintenance Workers employed at the Schofield Residence - all represented by 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest Health Care Union in the country. 

"I'm proud of what we won after our picket and am ready to fight at the (State) Legislature for better funding this year so we can win what we really deserve in our next contract,” said Michael Bearfield, a 20-year Maintenance Worker employed at the Kenmore facility.

The Nursing Home Workers held an informational picket outside the facility in November in demand for a fair contract as they fought for competitive wages to help retain and recruit permanent Workers to care for residents.

The Kenmore Facility has been relying heavily on Agency Workers.

Employees won major gains, despite many Upstate New York’s Nursing homes being underfunded due to a low Medicaid Reimbursement Rate from New York State.

The new 17-month contract includes: Wage increases ranging from 4.54% to 24% - based on years of experience; Increased employer contributions towards pension, dental and optical plans; An extended bereavement window up to one-year; Expanded Paid Time Off (PTO); and Elimination of unpopular work rules - including a previously strict dress code.

On another front, Caregivers will continue to have Union recognition and security - in addition to Labor-Management meetings, which provide Workers with more of a voice on the job and how the facility runs. 

The new gains Workers have secured in the new contract will also help to reduce Schofield’s reliance on Agency Staff, the Union said, as starting rate increases for Certified Nurse Assistants and Licensed Practical Nurses are now more competitive with the area standards.

In addition, the contract also provides for increased shift differential for Licensed Practical Nurses. 

The substantial increase in starting pay, health care benefits, optical, dental, pension and holidays will work attract more permanent Workers to care for residents, 1199 SEIU said. 

Agency Workers often do not receive any benefits.

In addition, Kenmore Nursing Home Workers also won Juneteenth as a paid holiday.

The 17-month contract expires on April 30th, 2025, bringing it more in line with New York State’s budget cycle, Union Officials said. 

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