Syracuse Skilled Nursing Facility Signs Groundbreaking Contract with 1199SEIU Healthcare Workers
July 20, 2018
SYRACUSE, NY–Bishop Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, formerly James Square Health and Rehab, and 1199SEIU are delighted to announce that they have ratified a collective bargaining agreement.
The most extraordinary element of this agreement is the wage incentive program that will provide for lump sum increases concurrent to meeting quality benchmarks, such as the reduction of pressure ulcers, falls with injury, rehospitalizations and various other quality indicators. In addition to this, a QAPI Committee or Quality assurance and performance improvement committee will be established consisting of Certified Nurses Assistants and tasked with improving resident care. Lastly, Bishop has agreed to provide tuition reimbursement for employees seeking to further their nursing education.
“We took over a struggling facility both financially and operationally and found a true partner in the turnaround with 1199. 1199’s insistence on a Quality assurance committee of CNAs signaled to us their dedication to improving the facility and this contract’s alignment of incentives between labor and management via a quality measure bonus program is truly revolutionary,” stated Edward Farbenblum CEO of Vestracare and the operator of the facility.
“As healthcare workers our residents are always our first priority. By joining our union we gained a voice and a seat at the table to work alongside management and negotiate a contract that addressed the goals of both sides,” said Starleigh Lewis a Certified Nurse’s Aide for the past 5 years. “We are looking forward to developing a great working relationship with management and providing the quality care our residents deserve.”
“This agreement is unique in that it illustrates the commitment of both the management and employees in their determination to deliver exceptional care,” noted Stephen Hanse president and CEO of the New York State Health Facilities Association and the New York State Center for Assisted Living.
Bishop Rehabilitation and Nursing is a 440-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility which specializes in both short term sub acute care as well as long term placement and is located at 918 James St Syracuse NY.
1199SEIU, United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in the nation. It represents over 6,500 healthcare workers in Central NY and over 400,000 total members throughout the East Coast with a mission to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
