(ACROSS WESTERN NEW YORK) - More Than 300 Health Care Workers employed at three Nursing Home Facilities owned by Living Legends Network across Western New York are scheduled to hold informational pickets on Wednesday (April 10th) over wages, benefits and Union Rights as their current one-year contract is set to expire on April 30th.

Negotiations are set to resume on the morning of the picket and Workers will hold a Strike vote following the work action, said Representatives of 1199 Service Employees International (SEIU) Healthcare Workers East - which represents Caregivers employed at Absolut Care of Allegany, Absolut Care of Aurora Park, Absolut Care of Orchard Brooke and Absolut Care of Westfield.

The Workers are employed as Licensed Practical Nurses, Certified Nurse Assistants, Home Health Aides, Patient Care Assistants, Medical Techs, Housekeepers, Cooks and Dietary Workers.

Union Officials and management have been at the bargaining table since early February.

Karly Beaujean, a Licensed Practical Nurse at Absolut Care of Westfield, said: “We are constantly understaffed and overworked (and) burned out.  When new Staff come in, they end up leaving.  If we were able to offer the same or better wages like other nursing homes in our area, then hopefully new Workers would stay and help us give the residents the care they deserve.”

The Union-represented Caregivers say that the employer’s current proposals also want to limit their ability to participate in protected Union job actions, threatening their voice on the job.

“If we voted for a job action, then it’s our right as Workers to participate - no matter how long,” said Darla Hamilton, a Housekeeper employed at Absolute Care of Allegany.

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.

To Directly Access This Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: Next Wednesday (4/10), Nursing Home Workers at Three Absolut Care Facilities Will Protest Over Pay, Benefits, and Union Rights (1199seiu.org)