BUTLER TWP — The Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and the union representing roughly 200 of its workers have reached an agreement over a flu shot policy.

Under the policy, employees who have direct contact with any of the nursing home’s more than 200 residents must wear surgical masks if they do not get flu shots.

But last fall when the Butler County-owned Sunnyview tried to implement the flu shot policy, SEIU Healthcare filed a class-action grievance.

The union argued at that time that no federal regulatory agencies advised masks be worn in nursing homes.

Sunnyview officials countered that the state Department of Health did want workers to have shots.

Not all workers have to get shots this year for the mask rule to be put into effect.

“If 85 percent of all Sunnyview employees (are) vaccinated by Nov. 1, no one has to wear a mask,” said Sunnyview administrator Sue Murray. “If it is less than 85 percent, the employees (who) did not get the flu shot have to wear a mask while performing resident care.”

Flu shots will be available next month for Sunnyview residents and employees. Workers are expected to get their shots by Oct. 31.