More than 800 Absolut nursing-home workers, including those in Western New York, overwhelmingly have ratified their first contract with a 528-13 vote.

The contract with SEIU 1199, approved March 14, covers certified nursing assistants, LPNs, dietary and housekeeping staff and workers in other service jobs at six Absolut facilities in suburban Buffalo, Dunkirk, Salamanca and Allegany, and in Houghton and Endicott.

The three-year contact includes a 6 percent wage increase this year and a 40 percent increase in employer contributions toward the cost of health insurance. Union members will receive education and college-tuition benefits up to $4,000 a year and a 2 percent match on employee 401(k) contributions.

The organizing campaign began in January after 1199 negotiated a neutrality agreement with the new owners of Absolut, formerly the Waters nursing-home chain. Secret-ballot elections conducted by the National Labor Relations Board were held throughout January and February.