1199SEIU recently reached a three-year agreement with Corning Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare, avoiding a potential strike at the facility at 205 E. First St.
Jane Dillon, Unit Clerk at Corning Center, said the new agreement comes as caregivers were ready to hit the picket lines to fight for improved staffing levels, quality health insurance, and competitive wages to help retain and recruit more caregivers.
The previous three-year contract expired on April 30, 2025, and caregivers negotiated the new agreement for over a month, 1199SEIU officials said. Nursing home workers are represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest healthcare workers union in the country.
“It took us several months for our committee to reach an agreement that we believe will help to recruit and retain more workers,” Dillon said. “We are ready to take this back to our membership for a vote.”
Caregivers will have a chance to review the agreement at a ratification vote to be held next week. If ratified, details of the agreement will be made public following the vote.
Typically, 100 nursing home workers provide care for residents at Corning Center, Dillon said. However, more recently there are closer to 60 caregivers working at the home according to the latest report provided to the union.
Union members at Corning Center work as activities aides, central supply clerks, certified nurse assistants, dietary aides, drivers, housekeepers, licensed practical nurses, maintenance techs, rehabilitation aides, receptionists, unit assistants and unit clerks.
This article originally appeared on The Leader: 1199EIU union members, Corning Center reach tentative 3-year agreement. What to know
Reporting by Jeff Smith, Corning Leader / The Leader
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