(GETZVILLE, NEW YORK) – Some Union-represented Nursing Home Workers employed at one of the last non-profit facilities in Western New York report their paychecks issued last Friday have since bounced. 

Last week, Workers protested over lack of retroactive pay, unpaid wage increases, unpaid benefits and poor leadership at the facility near Amherst.

The Caregivers are represented by 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) United Healthcare Workers East. 

Grace Bogdanove, 1199 SEIU’s Vice-President for Wester New York Nursing Homes, said: “We learned that paychecks issued last Friday for some Workers have since bounced and pending direct deposits for Workers this week have not cleared.  We will not know the full extent of how many Workers are impacted until Friday’s payroll deadline.  For months, we have been doing everything within our power to keep the facility open.  It’s unacceptable to expect Caregivers to continue working without pay.  Without State funding to support a change of ownership, this facility could close - forcing nearly (150) residents into other facilities in our region’s already overburdened Health Care System.”

“Weinberg needs to do better by us, by the residents, and by the family members,” said Toni Banks, an Environmental Support Worker.  “Nobody wants this place to close. Nobody!  Everybody wants their job.  Everybody wants to come here and take care of these people.”

1199 SEIU, Weinberg Campus Board Chairman and Schofield Residence Chairperson had signed a joint letter asking the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to provide funds to support a transfer of ownership to Schofield Residence.

Concern among Nursing Home Workers is growing as some beds at Weinberg Campus have been shut down.

A lack of nursing home beds could create a back log at area hospitals, Union Members said. 

“We have worked in difficult conditions. We put in time and effort to help the facility maintain quality care for residents.  It’s only right to pay the workers what they are owed for the time they worked,” said Crystallynn Lewis-Bryant, a Licensed Practical Nurse.

The 18-month contract voted in by Workers just months ago included 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.

To Continue Reading This Labor News Story, Go To: Today, Some Nursing Home Workers At Weinberg Campus Report Paychecks Bounced (1199seiu.org)