FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 26, 2024
Contact: April.Ezzell@1199.org, 1199SEIU Communications (716) 449-1620

 

Union Withdraws Unfair Labor Practice Charge Against Owners of Williamsville Suburban & Safire of Northtowns

Buffalo, NY – Workers at two Western New York nursing homes finally have a signed 1-Year Tentative Agreement with their employer, cancelling their planned strikes set for this week.    

Downstate for-profit out of town nursing home owner, Solomon Abramczyk initially failed to sign the agreement over paying better wages to recruit and retain experienced caregivers.  But, today following a brief conversation with union negotiators and the worker led bargaining committee, he signed the agreement.  

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

“We are glad that we could reach a final agreement,” said Heather Benns, Licensed Practical Nurse. “Experience pay is important because you go to school to earn your license or you take classes to earn your certification. If you have 30 years with that certification or 10 years with that license, you bring a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to a nursing home.  It significantly affects resident care, particularly as we encounter an increasing number of high-acuity residents,” said Benns.

The newly signed labor deal covering about 170 workers at the care homes in Tonawanda and Amherst expired April 30, 2024. Caregivers had been in negotiations for several months trying to reach a one-year deal for a new contract.   

1199SEIU filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board on July 8^th alleging the for-profit employer was bargaining in bad faith when Abramczyk failed to sign off on the deal they agreed to during contract talks.  That charge will be withdrawn.

Earlier this month, workers at the two suburban nursing homes voted in favor of holding a one-day strike when their employer failed to sign off on the agreement. Workers planned to hold a 24-hour Unfair Labor Practice Strike this week. The strikes at the Amherst and Tonawanda nursing homes are now cancelled to give workers a chance to review the newly signed deal and to vote. 

Details of the agreement will be made public if ratified by union members. Ratification votes at each facility will happen this week. 

About 70 Nursing home workers at Safire Rehabilitations of Northtowns in Tonawanda represented by 1199SEIU, United Healthcare Workers East work as Certified Nurse Assistants, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Unit Clerks.  

More than 100 workers at Williamsville Suburban Care Center work as Activities Aides, Certified Nurse Assistants, Licensed Practical Nurses, Physical Therapy Aides, Unit Secretaries, and Maintenance Assistants. 

According to the New York State Department of Health, Safire Care of Northtowns and Williamsville Suburban have common owners, which is often the case when owners participate in related party transactions. Safire Care of Northtowns is owned and operated by Judy Landa, Richard Platschek, Solomon Abramczyk, Robert Schuck, and Moshe Steinberg^[1].  Williamsville Suburban Care Center owners are Richard Platschek and Solomon Abramczyk.^[2]

More than 72% of for-profit nursing homes in New York state participate in related party transactions including Solomon Abramcyzk.^[3] Related party transactions often include paying companies they have an ownership interest in for services provided at a facility they already own or operate – essentially, a way to redirect more profits to owners.^[4]

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1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in New York and nationwide. We represent over 450,000 members throughout New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, Florida, and Washington, D.C.  Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
www.1199seiu.org

^[1] NYS Health Profile: Safire Rehabilitation of Northtowns, LLC
^[2] NYS Health Profile: Williamsville Suburban LLC
^[3] Nursing homes will soon have to report deals with 'non-arms length' companies (buffalonews.com)
^[4] Nursing homes will soon have to report deals with 'non-arms length' companies (buffalonews.com)