Statement of Milly Silva, Executive Vice President, on Supreme Court DAPA/DACA decision

Kaleida Health Union Workers Deliver 10-day Notice to Hospital for Informational Picket Calling Attention to Deteriorating Conditions for Staff, Patients

Buffalo, NY – Kaleida healthcare workers represented by CWA and 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East announced Friday they will not be extending their contract past the Sunday, July 31st deadline following two previous extensions. Citing the strong progress that has been made in the last four months of bargaining, committee members instead plan to meet five days a week with Kaleida representatives beginning Monday, August 1, to reach a fair contract for workers as soon as possible.

WHY: More than 100 nursing home workers at Corning Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing in Corning will hold an informational picket on Wednesday, July 13th from 1:00pm-4:00pm in demand for better wages. Long-term caregivers have been working without a union contract since May 31st following a one-month extension of their 18-month contract. Healthcare workers are represented by 1199SEIU, United Healthcare Workers East, the largest healthcare union in the country.

WHY: More than 1,000 long term caregivers at now 9 for-profit nursing homes across Western New York whose union contracts expired will hold one-day strikes in demand for fair wages. Caregivers represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East are asking for a $15 minimum wage for service workers, higher start rates for new employees, and standardized wage scales based on experience. Caregivers say wage improvements within all four ownership groups (covering 9 facilities) are needed to retain experienced workers to care for residents, but also to recruit new workers to help with critically understaffed facilities.

WHY: More than 1,000 long term caregivers at now 10 for-profit nursing homes across Western New York whose union contracts have expired will hold one-day strikes in demand for fair wages. Caregivers represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East are asking for a $15 minimum wage for service workers, higher start rates for new employees, and standardized wage scales based on experience. Caregivers say wage improvements within all five ownership groups are needed to retain experienced workers to care for residents, but also to recruit new workers to help with critically understaffed facilities.

Nearly 200 workers at four Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts (PPLM) clinics in Boston, Worcester, Marlborough and Springfield voted to unite in 1199SEIU

Buffalo, NY – Today, 1199SEIU filed 5 Unfair Labor Practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board claiming that McGuire Group violated federal labor laws. 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest healthcare workers union represents more than 600 members working at four different McGuire facilities in the WNY area. The long-term care facilities are owned and operated by Long Island residents Edward Farbenblum and Orly Lieberman, commonly known as VestraCare, LLC.

Buffalo, NY – More than 1,200 long term caregivers at 12 for-profit nursing homes across Western New York whose union contracts all expired will hold one-day strikes in demand for fair wages. This month, 98.6% of workers voted by an overwhelming majority at each facility in favor of holding one-day strikes to win better wages!