(GETZVILLE, NEW YORK) – Unionized Nursing Home Workers at one of the last non-profit facilities in Western New York have averted a two-day Strike after reaching an 18-month agreement just hours before they were set to hit the picket line.

1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU)-represented Caregivers at Weinberg Campus planned to protest a poorly managed facility, unpaid benefits, low wages and staffing levels.  Their previous contract had expired on October 31st, 2023 and Caregivers had been working without a contract ever since.

Grace Bogdanove, who serves as 1199 SEIU Vice-President for WNY Nursing Homes, said: “This tentative agreement with Weinberg is only a small part of the changes needed to ensure long-term viability of the nursing home.  In recent years, 1199 SEIU has advocated for millions of dollars in (New York) State funding to ensure the future of this facility in our community.  Now, we must continue to call on Weinberg Campus leadership to do right by the Health Care Workers, residents and the broader Western New York Community by stepping aside to allow Weinberg Campus to take a new direction forward and to restore its reputation as one of the best Senior Living communities in Western New York.” 

Caregivers at Weinberg Campus are employed as Food Service Workers, Maintenance Workers, Cooks, Environmental Service Workers, in Housekeeping, Certified Nurse Assistants, Licensed Practical Nurses, Personal Care Aides, Clerical Workers, Home Health Aides and Community Home Health Aides. 

Over the past year, the Unionized Caregivers have fought hard to lobby State Officials to secure millions in Vital Access Provider Funding and significant increases to Medicaid Reimbursement Rates for the struggling facility.

“We need a fair contract and leadership we can trust will do right by us and the residents we serve,” said Annie Marie Przbysz, a Patient Care Assistant/Med Tech who is a 26-year Employee at the Amherst Facility.

“We’ve helped Weinberg win funding from the State and now we won’t accept less than what we deserve,” added John Raczynski, a Cook at the facility for more than 23 years. 

Despite additional State funding, Weinberg Campus is behind on payments for Employee benefits - such as health care, pension and other earned entitlements.

Payments to vendors providing these benefits to Workers are also delinquent.

A contract ratification vote will be held soon to give Workers a chance to review the agreement.

If ratified, details of the agreement will then be made public. 

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 Report, Go To: 1199SEIU Reaches Tentative Agreement with Weinberg Campus Calling-Off Planned Two Day Strike Over Unpaid Benefits, Staffing Levels, and Poor Leadership