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Caregivers at 4 Western New York nursing homes authorize strike

Gillberg
Caregivers at 4 Western New York nursing homes authorize strike

Caregivers at four Western New York nursing homes have voted to go on strike. These facilities include Absolut Care locations in Allegany, Westfield, Orchard Park and East Aurora.

Workers rejected management’s latest “best and final proposal”, with 95% voting in favor of strike action. Union workers say the employer’s latest best offer doesn’t respect the hard work they do.

“The pay is not enough,” said laundry helper Cheryl Aavik. “I do more work than they think. I felt disrespected when I saw that they only offered a very small increase in salary.

The strike is expected to begin next Thursday at 6 a.m.

“I voted yes because I’ve been here 10 years and I deserve more than what they’re offering me,” said Levita Palmer, certified nursing assistant.

The most recent contract with the workers expired at the end of April.

RCA Healthcare Management released a statement Spectrum News 1saying:

“RCA Healthcare Management/Absolut Care has been bargaining in good faith with representatives of 1199 SEIU since February 7, 2024. Throughout the negotiations, the union engaged in bad faith bargaining, demonstrating its intent to initiate a strike unlimited and insisting on predictable unacceptable and unreasonable proposals. with the intention of not reaching an agreement. To date, we have filed five unfair labor practice charges against the union.

1199’s proposal for a one-year contract term is not in the best interest of our residents or the community and is driven by SEIU’s desire to align with other contract expiration dates. long-term care and hospitals in our region. The union’s most recent proposal, scheduled for June 1, amounts to a 40% increase in wages and benefits over two years, which is untenable. Notably, less than 34% of the current bargaining unit voted in favor of the strike, clearly showing that the majority of our employees do not support the strike.

We presented our best and final offer on May 1, 2024, which includes a salary step scale, enhanced pay rates, enhanced pickup bonuses, Juneteenth vacation and other items. RCA implemented its best and final offer on June 2.

We value our hard-working employees and want them to feel confident that they are building a career within our organization that respects and values ​​them.

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