Caregivers say new for-profit owner group came in attempting to cut worker benefits, while offering pennies above minimum wage

WHO:  Absolut Care nursing home workers and supporters

 

WHAT: Informational Picket

 

WHERE: Absolut Care at Aurora Park, 292 Main St, East Aurora, NY 14052   

WHEN: Wednesday, October 21 from 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM 
Press Conference at 1:30 PM

 

WHY?:  More than 250 workers at 3 nursing homes managed and partially owned by Calvado Care (formerly Absolut Care^[1]) at Allegany, Aurora Park, and Orchard Brooke have been fighting for a fair contract for months. Since May, when Calvado Care acquired ownership of the three facilities from Absolut Care, 1199SEIU agreed to a contract extension allowing new management enough time to become familiar with workers and their needs. 

 

Now, after a half dozen bargaining sessions with management for-profit Brooklyn-based Calvado Care is refusing to prioritize quality care by investing in workers.

 

Management is attempting to take away earned sick time and is failing to provide wage increases that recognize dedicated long time staff. The for-profit owners are making it very difficult to recruit and retain workers when offering pennies above minimum wage for newly hired service workers and minimal wage increases for all caregivers. Calvado Care is  proposing to remove key language in the successor clause that would protect workers’ union rights and benefits should the care facilities be sold again.

 

“It’s unfair to the residents when I’m overworked. I just want to provide them with the best care I can.  Better pay would keep workers here,” said Elaine Cantrell, Home Health Aide.

 

“It’s terrible. We don’t feel appreciated. It’s like a smack in the face what they’re offering us,” said Levita Palmer, Certified Nurse Assistant.

 

“I’ve been there for 20 years. I’m frustrated with several changes over the years, everyone who takes over comes they keep promising us safer work environments and better pay and we get nothing. The new owners are offering us less than what we were making before,” said Nicole Stiglmeier, Certified Nurse Assistant.

 

Caregivers are demanding a two-year contract with quality wage increases and staffing incentive bonuses to help retain and recruit more workers to care for residents.  In addition, workers are asking for a comprehensive benefits package that includes childcare funding and pension benefits.  Similar benefits have been won by other nursing home workers in the WNY region and securing these benefits would make positions at the three rural care homes more attractive to recruit and keep workers for the long-term.

 

Nursing home workers at Absolut Care at Aurora Park, Allegany, and Orchard Brooke work as Licensed Practical Nurses, Certified Nurse Assistants, Home Health Aides, Patient Care Assistants, Med Techs, Cooks, and Service Workers.

 

According to NY Department of State, Joel Fried and Wolf Green formed Calvado Care LLC. In December 2023. 

 

There are no additional dates set for bargaining at this time. 

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