On Monday, more than 600 healthcare workers represented by 1199SEIU, United Healthcare Workers East, at six Absolut Care facilities in Western New York reached a tentative one-year agreement with RCA Healthcare Management, LLC subject to ratification by union members.

RCA Healthcare Management, LLC, CEO Edward Farbenblum recently entered into an administrative services agreement with Absolut Care of Three Rivers, Westfield, Allegany, Gasport, Aurora Park and Orchard Brooke following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Healthcare workers are hopeful that the new agreement, which includes higher start rates and across the board wage increases, will help to address recruitment and retention issues at these nursing homes. The parties also agreed to improve training and education around resident care and work together to address staffing problems at each of the Absolut facilities.

“Providing quality care to our residents has always been our priority,” said Certified Nursing Assistant Valerie Ackley of Absolut Nursing and Rehab Center at Allegany. “Someday we will all be residents of this facility and we want it to be the best it can be.”

“We have always been and continue to be proud of our partnership with 1199,” said Farbenblum. “It is quite evident that exceptional care is delivered when employees are content, happy and most importantly are earning a fair wage. We therefore made our first order of business a meeting with the union delegates and are extremely pleased with the outcome and look forward to great things together.”

Contract ratification votes will be held on a rolling schedule beginning March 16. Upon ratification, specific details of the agreement covering Certified Nursing Assistants, Licensed Practical Nurses, Rehab Aides, Service and Maintenance, Dietary and Housekeeping workers in primarily rural areas of Western New York will be available for distribution.