Upstate, NY – Union nursing home workers at Corning Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare overwhelmingly voted to ratify a 3-year contract late Friday. The new labor contract

comes after caregivers were ready to hit the picket lines to fight for improved staffing levels, quality health insurance, and competitive wages to help retain and recruit more caregivers. 

Nursing home workers are represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest healthcare workers union in the country. 

 

“After 3 months, we finally have a contract,” said Jane Dillon, Transportation Assistant.  

 

“We’re hopeful that the new higher pay rates will help us bring in new employees and keep our current ones,” said Heidi Bouton, Certified Nurse Assistant. 

 

The new three-year labor deal for rural caregivers includes an average wage increase of 4.75% to over 9% the first year which is retroactive to June 1^st.  Workers will also get additional wage increases in the second and third year based on years of service to recognize longevity.  For up to 10 years of service, workers will get an additional 2%, 11-19 years of service will get 2.5% and for 20 years or more of service, workers will get an additional 3% wage increase. 

 

Nursing home workers also won increases to employer provided pension contributions and increases to shift differentials to help staff evening and night shifts.  In addition, starting rates for Certified Nurse Assistants will increase by more than $1.50 per hour to $18.00 per hour to help recruit more caregivers. Service workers will go from $15.50 to $16.25 per hour. Cooks and maintenance workers will go from $15.50 to $17.50 per hour. 

 

In addition to wage increases, workers will also enjoy paid vacation, paid time off with buyout or carryover and employer contributions towards health insurance.  Caregivers also have access to the 1199SEIU Training and Upgrading fund.

 

Any plan for an informational picket is now cancelled. 

 

Union members at Corning Center work as Activities Aides, Central Supply Clerks, Certified Nurse Assistants, Dietary Aides, Drivers, Housekeepers, Licensed Practical Nurses, Maintenance Techs, Rehabilitation Aides, Receptionists, Unit Assistants and Unit Clerks.

 

The new 3-year labor contract runs through April 30, 2028. 

 

On background:

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]. 

  

 

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1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. We represent over 400,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
https://www.1199seiu.org