A historic storm hit Buffalo, NY this week, dumping over 7 feet of snow, collapsing roofs, stranding travelers, and impacting nearly ten thousand 1199SEIU members living and working in the 8 counties of Western New York. While roads remain closed, 1199SEIU members lead the way providing care to patients and residents in the many Hospitals and Nursing Homes across the area.



Governor Cuomo is working hard to ensure safety of residents and patients in nursing homes and hospitals affected by the storm, but it is the 1199SEIU healthcare workers on the front lines who have really stepped up to provide the quality care that they desperately need during these difficult times. Idelia Miller, a dedicated CNA at Absolut of Orchard Park and mother of three, works in one of the hardest hit areas of the storm and has been at work 24 hours a day, essentially living in the facility since the beginning of the week. “We work 16 hours straight, sleep for 8, and then we work again for 16 hours straight. Our employer is feeding us and taking good care of us, while we do everything from nursing to dietary to laundry. The team work is awesome! We are all working together and helping each other. It’s been a great experience being stuck here believe it or not.”



Ruth Johnston, a CNA at Autumnview Manor faces several challenges from the storm. Her garage door collapsed under the weight of the snow and she and other residents in her neighborhood have worked for days to clear over 8 feet of snow from their driveway. Despite her personal struggles Ruth mind remains with her co-workers at the nursing home. “I’m very concerned about my co-workers at Autumnview Manor. Our job is very difficult, I’m more concerned about them than being stranded here at home. I know they work hard to care for our residents and I just want to be there to help them get through this.”



1199 Delegate Kathy Backus, an RN at Women's and Children's Hospital of Buffalo, was forced to take an alternate route to work during the storm. "It was treacherous. I normally drive ten miles to work, but this time it took a lot longer.” Once at work, Kathy realized it was not just business as usual, “Normally, I work eight hours, but I stayed to cover for co-workers who could not make it to work. Most of us have been working 11-13 hour shifts. As the storm is ending, we see the number of patients picking up. More people can make it in to the hospital, but some coworkers are still unable to get home.”





Kaleida Health has made provisions for staff that are stranded because of the storm. The employer is providing shelter at a local hotel and meals to all staff who are working at the Hospital.



While Kathy, Ruth, and Idelia other 1199 members are working hard to provide care to the patients in the hospitals and those living in the nursing homes they cannot help but to worry about others in the community they may not be able to get the care they need. “When I go home at night, I check on my elderly neighbors and my mother in law in South Buffalo," Kathy Backus said, "We are very concerned for everyone affected by this storm especially the elderly."



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