NYS reviewing takeover proposal of Weinberg Campus

AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) – Workers at a local nursing home say they have not been paid for days — and that paychecks issued to them last week have bounced. This is happening at the Weinberg Campus in Amherst, which is facing many financial problems.

This is a developing situation at the nursing home because of the uncertainty over payment. 1199 SEIU, the union that represents workers there says this whole issue over not being paid has created a crisis for union workers.

Union leaders say Wednesday night, they started getting calls from their members saying that their paychecks had bounced. Workers say that their bank accounts are now overdrawn because of this situation. There are more than 300 union employees at Weinberg Campus, but union officials say they’re still not sure how many people haven’t been paid. There are about 140 residents at Weinberg Campus. The union has heavily criticized Weinberg Campus management.

“The Weinberg leadership is very terrible; I’m talking specifically about the president and CEO. They have not communicated with the members, the board members Ken Rogers and the board have not communicated or even gave members you know some type of ease to say they’re working on their issues,” Darlene Gates, the administrator organizer of 1199 SEIU, said. “I have been meeting with members and they are concerned because they had rent to pay, car bills, food bills, your daily things that they need to survive has been put at jeopardy because of the bounced checks.”

But, according to a new update from the union, Weinberg Campus management says bounced paychecks have been re-issued and direct deposits should be posted Friday. Weinberg Campus is dealing with serious financial issues, in a letter last month signed by Weinberg Campus officials, it details a potential receivership plan. But about $15 million would be needed to resolve those financial issues.

Last week, there was a protest for not getting retroactive pay after a tentative agreement was reached over the summer on unpaid benefits and staffing levels. The union has called for all board members to be replaced.

Workers say they desperately want to see the state step in. News 4 has not heard directly from Weinberg Campus officials. The nursing home was sued last month accused of neglecting a resident before their death.

Jeff Preval is an award-winning anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in December 2021. See more of his work here.

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