Workers at Williamsville Suburban Nursing Home in western New York overwhelmingly approved a new three-year contract on July 23. The nearly 200 employees who are covered by this agreement work as LPNs, Unit Clerks, C.N.As, Rehab Aides, Maintenance staff and Activities Aides.



The contract provides wage increases of more than six percent over the term of the agreement, greater employer contributions toward the cost of health insurance and the 1199 Training and Upgrading Fund. “Healthcare is an ever-changing field,” said Lynn Jones, a Licensed Practical Nurse. “We must continue to educate ourselves, and that’s why I’m so pleased that our contract includes a way for us to obtain an education and update our skills. This contract is about improving quality care for the residents and making this a quality place to work. We achieved that.”



The workers voted to join 1199SEIU in November of last year and after nearly nine months of negotiations, talks stalled over wages and health insurance all leading causes of the significant employee turnover rates at Williamsville. The caregivers expressed deep concern over employee turnover impacting resident care, and conducted an informational picket on June 28. After a strike vote was taken, the parties returned to reach a successful settlement and that was followed by workers voting to go on strike if no settlement was reached.



“We are happy to have guaranteed wage increases and the protection of a union contract,” said Gabe Tyler, a Certified Nursing Assistant at the facility.



Williamsville Suburban was the third nursing home to organize with 1199 last year, along with St. Catherine’s and Niagara Lutheran. All three now have contracts. 1199 represents 5,000 nursing home workers at 42 nursing homes all across Western New York.