Home care providers at Community Care Home Health Services in both Upstate and Long Island, New York, have overwhelmingly voted to ratify their very first union contract. The 1,600 new members who agreed to the three-year deal won seven paid holidays each year. When workers provide care for consumers on three selected public holidays, they will receive time-anda-half. On the remaining holidays, including Juneteenth, they will be paid $3 above their regular rate. The agreement also includes an optional 401k retirement plan and bereavement leave.

“This is a good first contract as homecare workers,” said Toni Felton, an 1199 Certified Home Health Aide from Rochester. “We did our homework and asked the key questions to find out what our members needed—and went after it. We secured some good things including pay raises and holidays. For many, it may be their first time being involved in a union.”

The contract includes a full grievance and arbitration procedure allowing the Union to bring grievances on behalf of workers for violations of the agreement and to challenge disciplinary actions.