Absolute Care Westfield workers are pictured calling for a fair contract.
Nursing home workers at four rural locations, including Westfield, could be on strike in less than two weeks if a deal is not reached.
According to the 1199 Service Employees International Union United Healthcare Workers East, workers have rejected management’s last best and final proposal as 95% voted in favor to strike in protest of unfair labor practices at the rural nursing homes.
To date, 1199SEIU has filed three Unfair Labor Practice Board Charges against the For-Profit Nursing Home Chain alleging threats of retaliation against union members planning to strike, union busting by failing to rehire vacant bargaining unit positions, and bargaining in bad faith by implementing their last best and final offer without making movement at the table.
The current one-year contract covering more than 300 workers expired April 30. Both sides have been negotiating since early February. In April, Nursing home workers held informational pickets at three of the sites in Allegany, Westfield and East Aurora.
Caregivers at the four rural facilities work as Licensed Practical Nurses, Certified Nurse Assistants, Home Health Aides, Patient Care Assistants, Medical Techs, Housekeepers, Cooks, and Dietary Workers.
The four for-profit facilities are owned and operated by members of the Living Legends Health Network which includes: Absolut Care, McGuire Group, Taconic Health Care, and VestraCare. Living Legends Health Network group is managed by Long Island native, Edward Farbenblum.
Both sides last met Friday and no new dates are scheduled at this time. The indefinite strike at each of the facilities in Allegany, East Aurora, Orchard Park, and Westfield begins Thursday, June 13 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.