BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – Frontline workers at two Buffalo nursing homes protested a lack of hazard pay by its ownership group and want the company's chief executive officer to step up.
Employees and union representatives for the workers at Buffalo Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and the Ellicott Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing want Centers Health Care CEO Kenny Rozenberg to provide hazard pay for
"(Rozenberg) can afford to pay hazard pay," Hannah Lorenc, an organizer from the 1199 SEIU, said. "These workers are risking their lives. They should be compensated for that risk."
A spokesperson for Centers Health Care had no comment on hazard pay when reached by phone.
NOW: A caravan of supporters for nursing home workers are honking their horns. The 1199 SEIU are protesting a lack of hazard pay for frontline workers. pic.twitter.com/xjrNXriMCB
— Mike Baggerman (@MikeBaggerman) May 14, 2020According to the New York State Department of Health, both nursing homes have had multiple deaths of residents due to coronavirus. Buffalo Center saw 11 nursing home residents die while Ellicott Center had four. Because of the cases of COVID-19, employees are on edge.
"Workers are working with sick people," Ishma Marshall, an aide at Ellicott Center, said. "If we go somewhere else (we could) get paid more, but we are dedicated to people who aren't dedicated to us."
Marshall, who has worked at Ellicott Center for the last decade, said that they are worried about bringing home coronavirus to their families and giving them the same illness.
"It's like, come on," he said. "They've got to do better. They've got to pay us."
Lorenc said that it's unfair for the workers at Centers Health Care because other nursing home workers in the area have received hazard pay. Kaleida Health and Catholic Health are both offering some form of hazard pay to their employees who deal directly with coronavirus. Under federal law, providers are not required by federal law to pay hazard pay.
However, leaving their jobs with their current nursing homes may not be an option. Some workers have been there for decades and have built longstanding relationships with the residents.
"If we leave for another nursing home we're not going to get our starting pay," Samira McClure, another aide at the nursing home, said.
Hazard pay will allow them to benefit financially, keep their seniority status, and maintain the relationships they've developed with residents.
Prior to the pandemic, their main concern was to simply receive personal protective equipment like gloves. They have an adequate supply of PPE now, though they said there are extra stressors in their jobs with the widespread cases of coronavirus and the need to wear more equipment than usual.
"I don't mind coming in and putting on this snowsuit," McClure said. "At least I know if I get sick I can get compensated and my children are going to be okay. Right now, I'm naked and afraid."
