Nursing home workers at Ascension Living reach tentative 3-year agreement

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Nursing home workers at Ascension Living Our Lady of Peace in Lewiston reached a tentative three-year agreement with their employer on Tuesday night, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East announced.

The workers withdrew their 10-day strike notice following the tentative agreement. Fourteen facilities are still set to strike next week if a new labor deal cannot be reached, which was announced Saturday.

It comes after months of workers' requests for better pay, staffing levels, pensions and more. Ascension Living workers' last union contract expired in December 2023, 1199SEIU said.

The week-long strikes for the remaining facilities are set to start at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20. Nursing home workers will picket until 6 p.m. every day in front of the facilities listed below:

• Absolut Care of Gasport
• 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 Nursing Home (excludes pros/techs)
• Newfane Rehabilitation and Health Center
• Northgate Health Care Facility
• Safire Rehabilitation of Northtowns
• Schofield Residence
• The Grand at Delaware Park
• Williamsville Suburban Care Center

1199SEIU has filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board alleging bad faith bargaining against Elderwood at Lockport, Elderwood at Williamsville, Absolut Care of Aurora Park, Absolut Care of Allegany, Absolut Care of Gasport, Safire Care of Northtowns, and Williamsville Suburban Care Center.