Cheektowaga, N.Y. (WBEN) - Workers without contracts at five nursing homes in Western New York have gone on a seven-day unfair labor practice strike after failing to reach a deal for a new contract Monday night.
Workers at Absolut Care of Gasport, Elderwood locations in Lockport and Williamsville, Garden Gate Manor in Cheektowaga and North Gate Manor in North Tonawanda all hit the picket lines at 6 a.m. Tuesday.
Longtime LPI at Garden Gate Manor in Cheektowaga Renee Vernon says they're not out on the picket line because they want to be, but because they have to be.
"We've fought for a few weeks now for fair wages, benefits. A bunch of other homes have settled with the full contract, but we're fighting for scraps, at this point. All we want is a little respect and appreciation," said Vernon in an interview with WBEN on Tuesday.
Nursing home workers, represented by 1199SEIU, are protesting alleged bad faith bargaining and coercive tactics at several for-profit chains across Western New York. Workers at the five area for-profit nursing homes are part of a larger campaign involving now 21 different facilities in the region.
"We sat down yesterday, hoping to get somewhere and settle it so we didn't have to go this far. And unfortunately, they don't want to budge. They didn't even have the guts to come back in the room. They sent mediators back in the room to talk with us," Vernon said. "Sue Grigg has been with the company for as long as I can remember, she's now the CEO, and she said nothing during our negotiations yesterday. They're not willing to budge."
Vernon adds the nursing home operators are not willing to help caregivers with a number of matters with a new contract, including child care, health benefits and increased wages to deal with the economy changes
"Unfortunately, we have to be here to get what we need to take care of these residents the right way. We need more staff in here, and without the proper wages, you're not going to get anybody in here," she said.
Caregivers are protesting the nursing home owners threatening and intimidating workers who plan to strike, and implementing last best and final offer on workers without their agreement. Vernon also describes one instance where the nursing home is refusing to allow union organizing staff access to facilities.
"We have two employees at North Gate presently who are also on strike right now, and they go daily when they work there to take care of their loved ones. They were told that they were not allowed in the facility," Vernon described. "We touched on that yesterday also to try and get somewhere, and they wouldn't budge with that either. Their families, depend on them, they're there daily taking care of them. They just wanted to go in and visit for a little bit, so we're hoping that they make some changes with that. But as it is right now, they're not."
For Vernon and a number of the other caregivers on strike Tuesday, staffing and wages are the biggest talking points and issues with contract talks.
"It all has to do with the wages. We have to get better wages for even employees to come in here," Vernon said. "I mean, you have your service department at near minimum wage. You have to get the wages up there so that we can get staff in here to take care of the patients here. They're our family. Like I've said, I've been here 29 years, we're here for them. We can't do our jobs properly without the amount of equipment and staff to do the job."
"Unfair wages, understaffed, overworked. Most of us are doing the job, it's a two or three-people [job]. It's totally unfair," added Chris Czapski, nurse at Garden Gate Manor for the last 30 years. "The worst part about it is McDonald's pays more than they do for the aids that are coming in here, and they're taking care of human lives. Where's the difference in that? I understand for the owners that this is a business, but we're taking care of human lives, and they deserve better treatment, and they deserve better staffing."
Late Monday evening, 1199SEIU was able to reach two three-year tentative agreements for nursing home workers at Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at Williamsville and Schofield Residence, bringing the total number of settlements in this campaign to six. Strike notices at those two facilities are now withdrawn, as workers will have a chance to review agreements and to vote in the coming days.
1199SEIU continued to bargain throughout the weekend and Monday making progress with employers at multiple facilities. 1199SEIU also withdrew strike notices at four facilities Monday night: Newfane Rehabilitation and Health Center, Buffalo Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing, Ellicott Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing, and also The Grand at Delaware Park.
The progress in negotiations with a number of the other nursing homes over the last few days certainly provides some optimism for the nurses striking on Tuesday.
"I definitely have faith. In due time, good things take a lot of time, so we'll see what the future holds for us," said Garden Gate caregiver Aliyah White with WBEN.
"I do pray that is the resolve coming up. It's the best thing that we can hope for, at this point," Czapski added. "Something's got to give somewhere. Taking care of human lives, we deserve to be paid better."
The strike will continue until next Tuesday, May 27, where caregivers will not report to work, but instead walk picket lines daily from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. at each facility.