After months of unsuccessful efforts to reach a contract settlement, the 56 caregivers of the for-profit Consulate of North Fort Myers nursing home held a 48-hour a strike that began Monday, April 13, 6:45 AM.



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While the decision to strike was not easy, the caregivers at Consulate of North Fort Myers voted unanimously to strike because they feel as if they are overburdened and underpaid. Frustrated by management’s refusal to propose what 17 other 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East (1199SEIU Florida) -unionized Consulate facilities already have, the caregivers of North Fort Myers felt they had no other choice and needed to send a clear message to Consulate.



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“What we’re asking for is simple. We’re only asking for the same thing that thousands of other Consulate employees across Florida already have. No more. No less,” explained Gail Bruno, a certified nursing assistant with more than 17 years at Consulate of North Fort Myers. “We work hard every day to care for our residents, but we also need to care for our families. “



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As word spread, the caregivers received an outpouring of support from other local unions and community members. Throughout the day active and retired members from the Southwest Florida AFL-CIO, United Auto Workers, and the Southwest Florida Professional Firefighters and Paramedics (Local 1826) joined the picket line in solidarity. Family members of patients provided water and refreshments to show their appreciation and support.



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The stories of these brave caregivers flooded local media. TV cameras from all four local news stations showed up Monday morning. Local CBS affiliate WINK-TV reported live on-site for most of the two days.



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After 48-hours of vibrant chanting, singing, and calling out Consulate from the picket line, Wednesday, April 15, 6:45 AM the first shift of caregivers returned to work with their heads held high.



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Consulate Health Care is the industry’s largest provider in the State of Florida. The company promises that its corporation is “at the heart of caring,” yet many Consulate facilities, including North Fort Myers, have a history of being placed on Florida’s Nursing Home Watch List. Public records show that Consulate facilities in Florida have earned a number of state and federal fines over the last few years of more than $1.5 million.



Last year, 17 Consulate Health Care facilities represented by 1199SEIU Florida, settled contract agreements that guarantee fair pay and better working conditions. On July 17, 2014, the caregivers, at Consulate’s North Fort Myers facility, voted to form a union and join 1199SEIU Florida. More than eight months later, caregivers at the North Fort Myers have yet to see a proposal on wages and health care.



The caregivers and management are scheduled for contract negotiations Wednesday, May 27th. The caregivers have demanded that Consulate Health Care come to the bargaining table with fair proposals on the outstanding articles.

Media Coverage



Nursing home workers striking Monday in North Ft. Myers, News-Press

Protests for pay: health care workers speak out in North Ft. Myers, WFTX-FOX

NFM nursing home employees protest for better work conditions, WINK-CBS

Local Consulate Health Care workers go on strike, WBBH-NBC

Nursing home staff complain of low wages, threaten strike, News-Press



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