More than 70 workers with Schoellkopf Health Center, represented by 1199SEIU, have reached a tentative one-year agreement with their employer. The nursing home is attached to Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.

The agreement includes an average 11% wage increase retroactive to May 1, with some workers receiving up to 34%, according to the union. Workers will also receive Juneteenth and Labor Day as paid holidays and a new 10-step wage scale with additional longevity increases for employees with up to 25 years of service.

Pension contributions will be increased by $1.10 per hour and increases will be made to shift differential and employer contributions on dental and optical plans. The union says the agreement also includes increases to charge pay for Licensed Practical Nurses and a new $3 differential for LPNs who take on additional responsibilities in the event of short staffing.

"I am very pleased with the results and mutual respect with hard work that it took to make this contract one of the best ever,” said Earl Pugh, Licensed Practical Nurse. “We worked to combine our bargaining units into one agreement. This was a collective effort,” said Pugh.

The deal still needs to be voted on. The union says that vote will take place soon.

The new agreement in Niagara Falls comes just as strikes are set to begin at Absolute Care nursing homes in Allegany, Aurora Park, Westfield and Orchard Park on Thursday. Negotiations are continuing between 1199SEIU and those four nursing homes.