1199SEIU issues notice of strike at 15 nursing homes across Western New York
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East issued a 10-day notice on Friday afternoon of a week-long strike at 15 nursing facilities throughout Western New York if a new labor deal cannot be reached.
Around 2,500 workers across the facilities authorized the vote, which follows months of their requests for better pay, staffing levels, pensions and more. The strike is scheduled to start at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20.
The McGuire Group said it received formal strike notices from two of its facilities on Friday after a day of bargaining with 1199SEIU. The facilities are listed by the union as Garden Gate Health Care Facility and Northgate Health Care Facility.
'You [the staff] are the heart of our facilities, and you deserve fair representation and a real say in your workplace, not to be used as pawns in a regional power play,' the McGuire Group said in a news release. 'We have activated contingency plans to ensure uninterrupted, high-quality care for our residents.'
The submissions follow the McGuire Group's filing of charges against 1199SEIU, which it announced Wednesday night, accusing the union of intentionally misleading workers about company finances in a social media post.
Last week, the union filed an unfair labor practice charge against Edward Farbenblum, the principal of the McGuire Group, alleging that he is negotiating in bad faith.
Nurses, along with nurse assistants, housekeeping staff, dietary workers, clerical workers and other staff are planning to strike at the following locations:
Buffalo Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing
Comprehensive Rehab and Nursing Center at Williamsville
Elderwood at Lockport
Elderwood at Williamsville
Ellicott Center
Garden Gate Health Care Facility
Gowanda Rehabilitation and Nursing Center (excluding pros/techs)
Newfane Rehabilitation and Health Center
Northgate Health Care Facility
Ascension Living Our Lady of Peace
Absolut Care of Gasport
Safire Rehabilitation of Northtowns
Schofield Residence
The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Delaware Park
Williamsville Suburban Care Center
Members of 1199SEIU and nursing home workers will provide an update on the planned strikes at 5 p.m. on Monday.
Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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