A nursing home workers’ union will picket facilities in Dunkirk and Gowanda on Wednesday to highlight various issues.

The move by 1199SEIU is part of a larger campaign regarding Western New York nursing homes, and comes as the union engages in contract talks. According to the union, more than 4,000 employees across 27 different caregiving facilities are involved in the campaign.

The Dunkirk Rehabilitation & Nursing Center and Gowanda Nursing Home are scheduled to see picketers outside on Wednesday.

The union started picketing care facilities across Western New York last week.

“Thousands of nursing home workers participating in the organizing campaign are fighting for fair and living wages, quality affordable health insurance benefits, and pension improvements that will recruit and retain more workers to provide care for residents,” 1199SEIU stated. “Workers believe that a comprehensive benefits package including quality health insurance, training and education, and a childcare fund will improve staffing levels at area nursing homes.”

The union noted that contract negotiations for most began late February. Union contracts covering a majority of the nursing homes are set to expire April 30, with the exception of the two Elderwood facilities whose contract already expired.

For-profit owners implemented their last, best, and final offer. Elderwood cut daily overtime, threatening adequate staffing on evening and overnight shifts, and changed workers’ health insurance coverage.”

According to 1199SEIU, “Union members work as Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Certified Nurse Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Speech/Language Pathologists, Physical Therapists, Dieticians, Social Workers, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Licensed Physical Therapy Assistants, Environmental Service Workers, Maintenance Workers, Dietary and Food Service Workers, Housekeeping & Laundry Workers, Clerical Workers, and Unit Clerks.