Caregivers voted to give their bargaining committee the authority to issue a 10-day notice to picket 

Upstate, NY – Nursing home workers at Corning Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare unanimously voted to give their bargaining committee the authority to issue a 10-day notice to picket. The informational picket will bring attention to their dispute with their employer over contract talks. Their 3-year contract expired April 30, 2025. Caregivers have been bargaining for more than a month. Workers are represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. 

“Our residents deserve more.  With current staffing issues and the demand for overtime,  our staff is getting burned out. Both the residents and staff deserve more,” said Jane Dillon, Transportation Coordinator. 

Nursing home workers are fighting for improved staffing levels, quality health insurance, and competitive wages to help retain and recruit more caregivers. 

Typically, 100 nursing home workers provide care for residents at Corning Center which is a 120 bed for-profit facility according to NYS Department of Health. However, more recently there are closer to 60 caregivers working at the home according to the latest report provided to the union.  

When the 10-day notice is issued, caregivers may participate in the informational picket before or after work or during their break or lunch. 

Caregivers are set to return to the bargaining table on Wednesday, June 11 at 2:00PM. 

Corning Center^[1] is controlled and managed by Centers for Care LLC doing business as Centers Health Care. Centers Healthcare, a Bronx-based company is one of the largest nursing home operators in New York and New Jersey^[2]. In 2024, New York Attorney General accused owners and related parties of intentionally understaffing facilities impacting quality of care for residents,^[3] resulting in a $45 million settlement. Centers Healthcare is co-owned by Kenneth Rozenberg^[4] and Daryl Hagler.  

Kenneth Rozenberg is majority owner of the facility’s operating entity.^[5] The lawsuit brought by Attorney General James also alleged that Centers Healthcare owners withdrew $83 million dollars through related party transactions meant for patient care.^[6]

Union members at these four facilities work as Activities Aides, Certified Nurse Assistants, Dietary Aides, Drivers, Housekeepers, Licensed Practical Nurse, Maintenance Tech, Rehabilitation Aide, Receptionist, Unit Assistant and Unit Clerk.

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^[1] NYS Health Profile: Corning Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare
^[2] Get in Touch with Centers Health Care | Centers Health Care
^[3] Office of the New York State Attorney General, Press releases, Attorney General James Sues Owners and Operators of Four Nursing Homes for Financial Fraud and Resident Neglect, June 28, 2023, https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2023/attorney-general-james-sues-owners-and-operators-four-nursing-homes-financial
^[4] Corning Center – Centers Health Care Nursing and RehabilitationKenny Rozenberg: Advancing Nursing Home Care in Corning - Corning Center - Centers Health Care Nursing and Rehabilitation
^[5] NYS Health Profile: Corning Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare
^[6] New York nursing home operator to pay $45 million over claims it stole funds, neglected care | Reuters