(NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK) – Following five months of contract talks, 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU)-Represented Workers who are employed at the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center (NFMMC) and Health Home Services have overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year agreement that features significant wage and pension increases.

Union Members work as Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Professionals, Technical Employees, Dietary Workers, Service and Maintenance Workers, and Home Care at Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital and Health Home Services.

The contract - which covers 750 Hospital and Homecare Workers who work at one of the last free-standing hospitals in Niagara County, features a 4% wage increase in each year of the agreement that is retroactive to June 1st, totaling 12% over three years. 

New wage steps have been added for 15 and 20 years of service, along with job upgrades that both include increased wages, 1199 SEIU Officials said.

Union Members also won pension increases each year, increases to paid time off and added Juneteenth as a holiday paid at time and a half. 

In addition, starting in 2026 the Hospital agreed to establish a Just Culture Committee to address diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. 

And to help with recruitment and retention, the contract includes increases to charge/lead pay for Nurses, as well as increases to preceptor pay to assist with onboarding of new Employees. 

On another front, Union Members have secured a guaranteed work week and will be paid for all scheduled working hours.  

Registered Nurse Kelley Gombert said: “This Bargaining Committee came to the table focused on the ability to recruit and retain Employees for NFMMC to provide optimal patient care. The goal was to revamp the contract for easier understanding and that mission was accomplished. This by far is one of the most beneficial and fair contracts for all 1199 SEIU Members at NFMMC,” said Kelley Gombert.

Respiratory Therapist Tracy Aniolowski said: “‘Unity is Strength.’ where there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved. Being on the Bargaining Committee for many years, this contract has given our Members one of the strongest contracts with many upgrades, guaranteed work week and a four-percent general wage increase for the next three years.”

NFMMC President/CEO Joseph Ruffolo said: “Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, as the only full-service Health System serving all of Niagara County, and only independent Hospital in all eight counties of Western New York, stands proud to reach a fair and equitable contract with 1199 SEIU. Sustaining and expanding Memorial’s extensive service profile, in a very challenging economic climate, is a true testament of the dedication, passion and commitment provided by our SEIU Members. Our residents from the Niagara region, as well as our visitors from across the globe, are very fortunate to be able to access the high-quality care provided by the only Safety Net Hospital in the County. Despite the challenging economic outlook that we and all hospitals across the country will face due to the significant Federal reductions in Medicaid and Medicare, we have the confidence in our team of Health Care Workers that their unwavering support for Memorial’s mission to serve will remain intact.”

1199SEIU 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 Florida, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Maryland, and in Washington, D.C.