FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: April Ezzell, 1199SEIU Communications (716)449-1620

Caregivers Win More than 8% Wage Increases, Wage Scales for Nurses, Paid Juneteenth Holiday, Training and Education Benefits, and more

Rochester, NY – 1199SEIU members at The Pearl Nursing Center on Portland Avenue overwhelmingly voted to ratify a 3-year agreement today. Nursing home workers are represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest healthcare workers union.

The new union contract comes after months of negotiations and an informational picket outside the nursing home in December of last year.

“Everyone benefits from this contract,” said Milagros Quintana, Certified Nurse Assistant. “It’s been years since we had a contract like this. I have been in this industry for 25 years, and this new contract means job security for me. Our voices were heard,” said Quintana.

Most caregivers will receive a general wage increase each year including 3% in the first year except Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nurse Assistants, a 2.65% in the second year, and 2.65% in the third year. Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nurse Assistants will now have substantial wage scales based on years of experience and will receive a general wage increase in the second and third year of the agreement.

In addition to wage increases, union members will receive a one-time bonus upon ratification. Full-time workers will receive $275.00 and part-time workers will receive $150.00. To help with staffing issues, all workers on evening and night shifts will receive a shift differential. The 3-year deal limits the use of agency workers to 17% of the caregivers in the facility. The contract also allows regular caregivers to pick up shifts before outside agency personnel are called-in. The union and management agree to create a committee to address any staffing issues at the nursing home in hopes of improving continuity of care for residents.

To retain and attract more workers, the employer agreed to offer the 1199SEIU Training & Employment fund starting March 1, 2024. In addition to newly added training and education benefits, workers will also receive increases in employer provided pension contributions, 1 additional sick day, and Juneteenth as an additional paid holiday. The employer will also contribute 50% of the premium for dental coverage.

“The pension plan in this contract means a lot for me,” said Debora Peeples, Certified Nurse Assistant for 29 years. “I have real job security,” said Peeples.

The newly ratified agreement runs until April 30, 2025 and covers 80 nursing home workers. 1199SEIU members at The Pearl Nursing Center in Rochester work as Certified Nurse Assistants, Licensed Practical Nurses, Cooks, Secretaries, Activities Aides, Laundry Workers, Dietary Workers, Maintenance Workers, and Housekeepers.

Other Rochester area nursing home workers are also fighting for union contract. Caregivers at Wesley Gardens have been working without a contract since September 30, 2022.

###

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. www.1199seiu.org