Over 275 nursing home workers have joined the healthcare workers’ union in recent months, advancing care and jobs for our local communities
Western New York: On February 10, over 83 caregivers and other workers at Fiddler’s Green Nursing Home in Springville were certified as members of 1199SEIU after voting to join the union on January 30, 2015. With this victory, over 275 workers at five different nursing homes in western New York have joined 1199SEIU in recent months, including those at Sheridan Manor in Tonawanda, Brighton Manor in Rochester, Gowanda Rehabilitation in Gowanda, and St. Joseph’s in Utica.
Western New York nursing homes, many of which are newly operated by downstate for-profit nursing homes, are struggling with financial issues and declining reimbursements. As a result of the fast-paced changes in the industry, nursing home workers say they are looking for the peace of mind that comes with joining 1199SEIU. Many are living with uncertainty, concerned about job security, wages and benefits, as well as continuity of care for their residents.
The workers say they were motivated to join the powerful healthcare workers union, 1199SEIU because they were looking for a work environment with dignity and respect and a collective voice to advocate for the residents they care for. All say they need affordable healthcare, job security, fair wages, retirement security; provisions that come with a negotiated collective bargaining agreement. The new union members include Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNS), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Unit Clerks, Laundry Service workers and others.
“I voted for our union because I believe it will allow me and my co-workers to work together and create a better environment for our staff and residents,” said Lori Beeman, a laundry service worker who has been with Fiddler’s Green for 37 years. “It takes all of us to make a difference.”
“For all my years of experience and dedication to my residents, I am not making much more than newly-hired employees,” said John Brayman, a CNA with 24 years of experience at Fiddler’s Green. “I feel we deserve to be able to take care of our families like we have taken care of so many others.”
“Being a part of the largest healthcare workers’ union gives us many opportunities we didn’t have as non-union workers,” said Kelly Crowley, an LPN with Gowanda. “We are looking forward to achieving competitive wages that will allow us to better care for our loved ones, and affordable healthcare for ourselves and our families.”
1199SEIU is the largest and fastest growing union in New York State and nationwide. Although union density in the United States is dwindling, 1199SEIU continues to grow. In January 2015 alone, over 800 workers total joined 1199SEIU. The union is focused on bringing good, middle-class healthcare jobs and the best quality of care to Western New York’s communities.
“It’s essential that healthcare jobs provide fair wages, steady employment and a path to the middleclass for those who dedicate their lives caring for sick and elderly,” said Todd Hobler, Vice President of 1199SEIU for upstate New York. “Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing job sectors in our country, and 1199 is committed to ensuring that this industry remains stable, and provides the good jobs and quality care that our communities need.”
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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.
Western New York: On February 10, over 83 caregivers and other workers at Fiddler’s Green Nursing Home in Springville were certified as members of 1199SEIU after voting to join the union on January 30, 2015. With this victory, over 275 workers at five different nursing homes in western New York have joined 1199SEIU in recent months, including those at Sheridan Manor in Tonawanda, Brighton Manor in Rochester, Gowanda Rehabilitation in Gowanda, and St. Joseph’s in Utica.
Western New York nursing homes, many of which are newly operated by downstate for-profit nursing homes, are struggling with financial issues and declining reimbursements. As a result of the fast-paced changes in the industry, nursing home workers say they are looking for the peace of mind that comes with joining 1199SEIU. Many are living with uncertainty, concerned about job security, wages and benefits, as well as continuity of care for their residents.
The workers say they were motivated to join the powerful healthcare workers union, 1199SEIU because they were looking for a work environment with dignity and respect and a collective voice to advocate for the residents they care for. All say they need affordable healthcare, job security, fair wages, retirement security; provisions that come with a negotiated collective bargaining agreement. The new union members include Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNS), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Unit Clerks, Laundry Service workers and others.
“I voted for our union because I believe it will allow me and my co-workers to work together and create a better environment for our staff and residents,” said Lori Beeman, a laundry service worker who has been with Fiddler’s Green for 37 years. “It takes all of us to make a difference.”
“For all my years of experience and dedication to my residents, I am not making much more than newly-hired employees,” said John Brayman, a CNA with 24 years of experience at Fiddler’s Green. “I feel we deserve to be able to take care of our families like we have taken care of so many others.”
“Being a part of the largest healthcare workers’ union gives us many opportunities we didn’t have as non-union workers,” said Kelly Crowley, an LPN with Gowanda. “We are looking forward to achieving competitive wages that will allow us to better care for our loved ones, and affordable healthcare for ourselves and our families.”
1199SEIU is the largest and fastest growing union in New York State and nationwide. Although union density in the United States is dwindling, 1199SEIU continues to grow. In January 2015 alone, over 800 workers total joined 1199SEIU. The union is focused on bringing good, middle-class healthcare jobs and the best quality of care to Western New York’s communities.
“It’s essential that healthcare jobs provide fair wages, steady employment and a path to the middleclass for those who dedicate their lives caring for sick and elderly,” said Todd Hobler, Vice President of 1199SEIU for upstate New York. “Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing job sectors in our country, and 1199 is committed to ensuring that this industry remains stable, and provides the good jobs and quality care that our communities need.”
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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.
