(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – Unionized Workers employed at two Western New York Nursing Homes in Amherst and Tonawanda have reached a one-year Tentative Agreement with their employer, cancelling their planned strikes that were set for this week.   

Downstate for-profit and out-of-town Nursing Home Owner, Solomon Abramczyk, initially failed to sign the agreement over paying better wages to recruit and retain experienced Caregivers, said Officials of 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Workers East, which represents the Nursing Home Workers. 

But following a brief conversation with Union Negotiators and the Worker-led Bargaining Committee, he signed the agreement, they said. 

The contract covers about 170 Workers employed at the Nursing Homes in Tonawanda and Amherst.  Their previous agreement had expired on April 30th (2024) and the Caregivers had been in negotiations for several months trying to reach a deal.  

About 70 Workers employed at Northtown Safire Rehabilitation work as Certified Nurse Assistants, Licensed Practical Nurses and Unit Clerks, while more than 100 Workers who are employed at the Williamsville Suburban Care Center work as Activities Aides, Certified Nurse Assistants, Licensed Practical Nurses, Physical Therapy Aides, Unit Secretaries and Maintenance Assistants.

“We’re glad that we could reach a final agreement,” Heather Benns, a Licensed Practical Nurse, said. “Experience pay is important because you go to school to earn your license or you take classes to earn your certification.  If you have thirty years with that certification or ten years with that license, you bring a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to a nursing home.  It significantly affects resident care, particularly as we encounter an increasing number of high-acuity residents.”

1199 SEIU had filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) Charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on July 8th alleging the employer was bargaining in bad faith when Abramczyk failed to sign off on the deal the sides agreed to during contract talks. 

That charge will now be withdrawn, 1199 SEIU said.

As a result of the failure to sign the agreement, Workers at the two facilities earlier this month voted in favor of holding a one-day ULP Strike.  Those actions at the Amherst and Tonawanda Nursing Homes have now been cancelled to provide Workers with a chance to review the newly signed deal and to vote on it.

Ratification votes at each facility will take place this week.

According to the New York State Department of Health, Safire Care of Northtowns and Williamsville Suburban have common owners, which is often the case when owners participate in related party transactions.

Safire Care of Northtowns is owned and operated by Judy Landa, Richard Platschek, Solomon Abramczyk, Robert Schuck and Moshe Steinberg.

Williamsville Suburban Care Center owners are Richard Platschek and Solomon Abramczyk.

More than 72% of for-profit nursing homes in New York State participate in related party transactions, including Solomon Abramcyzk.

Related party transactions often include paying companies they have an ownership interest in for services provided at a facility they already own or operate - essentially, a way to redirect more profits to the owners.

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 nationwide, representing more than 450,000 Members throughout the States of New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland and Florida, and in Washington, D.C.

1199 SEIU File Photo Courtesy Of The Union's Facebook Page.