Local leaders back nursing home workers ahead of week-long strike
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Nursing home workers and members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East across 15 nursing homes are planning to strike for a week on May 20 if a contract cannot be reached.
During a press conference on Monday, local leaders showed their support for the workers.
'The hard-working members of 1199SEIU caring for our loved ones at nursing homes across the region, again at our most difficult times, as our families, our loved ones, our neighbors encounter, you're the ones there providing care and comfort, love, a helping hand,' said Congressman Tim Kennedy.
Majority Leader Leah Halton-Pope told the story of her dad staying at a nursing home prior to his death. She said she, her siblings and her mother cared for him, but not every patient has that.
'If (the nursing home workers) had an opportunity to go home at a reasonable hour, that's not fair because if my dad was still here at that point that meant that he may not have received 100% of everything that he needed,' she said.
Councilwoman Zeneta Everhart described getting her allergy medicine refilled and a mammogram on Monday from the workers 'all in one day.'
'They deserve better pay, period,' she said. 'I don't even know why this is an argument, I don't know why this is a conversation … I don't know why we have to keep sitting at these tables.'
Kennedy said that Republican-led Congress cutting Medicaid is a disrespect to the workers. He said leaders in Washington, D.C. are lying when they say they are getting rid of waste and are instead referring to nursing home workers and the work that they do.
Nurses, housekeeping staff, dietary workers, and other staff are planning to strike at the following locations if a deal is not reached by May 20:
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
Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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