(GETZVILLE, NEW YORK) – 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Workers East-represented Nursing Home Workers, employed at one of the last non-profit facilities in Western New York who averted a two-day Strike earlier this week, have ratified an 18-month agreement with their employer.

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

The new agreement runs until April 30th, 2025. 

While caregivers at Weinberg Campus have a new contract, Workers remain concerned about poorly managed facility and unpaid benefits. 

“I’m happy with the contract, but I know that there is still work to be done,” said Nell Robinson, a Licensed Practical Nurse. “This uphill battle is not quite over because we will back at the bargaining table again soon.”

The 18-month agreement includes wage increases based on years of service, a 10-step wage scale, pension increases, shift differential and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a paid holiday.  

Workers with less than 10 years of service will retro-active pay of 2.25% wage increase whereas Workers with more than 10 years of service will receive a 2.75% wage increase retroactive to November 1st, 2023, Union Officials said.

Beginning the first pay period following ratification, Workers with less than 10 years of service will receive a raise on the wage scale, while Nursing home workers with more than 10 years of service will receive a 3% wage increase, they added.

New Employees will be placed on the appropriate pay scale step according to their experience level right away. 

This newly added contract benefit will help to recruit Caregivers to help alleviate staffing issues at the Getzville facility in Suburban Buffalo. 

In addition, Home Health Aides and Personal Care Attendants will receive a shift differential when passing medications to residents.   

Grace Bogdanove, 1199 SEIU Vice President for WNY Nursing Homes, said: “This contract 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.”

To Continue Reading This Labor News Report, Go To: 1199SEIU Nursing Home Workers at Weinberg Campus in Getzville Vote To Ratify 18-Month Contract But Remain Concerned Over Unpaid Benefits and Poor Leadership