(SPRINGVILLE, NEW YORK) – Nearly 40 rural Nursing Home Workers - represented by 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Workers East, have been notified the Jennie B. Richmond, an 80-bed facility in rural Springville, is closing.

The Unionized Workers employed at the facility in Southern Erie County work as Licensed Practical Nurses, Certified Nurse Assistants, Occupational Therapy Aides, Dietary Aides, Activities Aides, Patient Care Assistants, Housekeeping Aides and Unit Secretaries.

The Union Caregivers learned the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) had approved a plan to close the Springville Facility after 1199 SEIU Leaders were informed the closure plan had already been submitted to the NYSDOH and that the plan was approved.
 
Under the Worker Adjustment & Retraining Act (WARN), an employer must provide at least 60 days’ notice before closing.

At this time, 1199 SEIU has not received a WARN notice.
 
1199SEIU Administrative Organizer Nora Moore said: “Critical health care services for our most vulnerable are being eliminated and jobs may be lost. We will bargain with the employer over effects of this planned closure to protect the rights, benefits and pay for every Worker at the Nursing Home. These closures are overwhelming for our rural communities. The New York State Department of Health must create a system that does more to protect not only the residents, but the dedicated Health Care Workers who care for them.”

Licensed Practical Nurse Lucille Schindler, an Employee at the facility, said: “It’s very sad news for the residents, the community and the Workers. We are devastated. No one thought this would happen. Most of us have worked and lived here for a very long time. These residents are like our family and their families become our families. Our Staff is very caring, very loving and we are dedicated to our residents. I’m so distraught that my residents must endure a move to another home. We have so many patients for rehabilitation and they may be transferred an hour away. Our residents deserve a place to live and the respect and dignity they have earned throughout their lifetime.”

1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East - the largest and fastest-growing Health Care Union in the United States and whose mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for al, represents more than 400,000 Nurses and Caregivers throughout the States of Florida, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and in Washington, D.C.

To Directly Access This Labor News Report, Go To: Nearly 40 Union Healthcare Workers Notified That Jennie B Richmond Nursing Home In Springville Set To Close: 1199SEIU