More than 1,000 Florida nursing home workers now have a new contract. It was recently ratified after months of often intense negotiations between bargaining team members with 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest union representing healthcare workers in Florida and nursing home owner and operator Aspire Health Group, one of the biggest companies in the industry.

“As a member of the bargaining team, I can say firsthand this was a hard fought campaign. It required strength, unity, and commitment to get over many hurdles to reach the finish line. I applaud my bargaining team members for staying united and committed to our mission to win a new contract,” said Christine Bricker, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at Aspire at Spring Hill.

The new 3-year contract impacts both contracted and subcontracted workers with HCSG – Health Care Services Group. From cooks to caregivers, nursing home workers at eleven Aspire facilities will benefit from the new contract which includes a ratification bonus and wage increase. Most notably, it puts the lowest wage earners on a path to a $15 minimum wage. This is a step in the right direction says Mary Barnes, a longtime CNA at Aspire at West Palm Beach.

“For far too long, workers at my facility have been the lowest paid employees. That is why I was determined to make sure this would change in the new contract. I am grateful this was also a priority for our whole Bargaining Team. They stood with me during negotiations and made sure that our agreement included a path toward a $15 minimum wage,” said Barnes.

“As subcontracted employees, we work in Aspire facilities, but our employer is HCSG, Health Care Services Group, so we negotiated our own contract. But when it was time to fight for our rights, all employees stood side by side together. After all, our mantra is “one union, one fight”. That unity was essential to helping us achieve our goals,” said CNA and cook Darell Butler.

Butler is a longtime member leader with 1199SEIU. He has served on several bargaining teams over the more than 20 years he has worked in the industry. He says this contract campaign stands out as one of the longest and most difficult.

“We had pickets at all 11 Aspire nursing homes. Hundreds of workers and supporters braved the hot sun and rain outside of these facilities in Central and South Florida to make their voices heard. It sent a powerful message to management that we were united and determined to earn the respect and fair wages we deserve,” explained Butler.

The pickets were covered by television and online news media. They highlighted a variety of issues including short staffing and low wages and how they impact the quality care nursing home residents need and deserve. Workers also voted to strike, but it was averted in the eleventh hour when a tentative agreement was reached. 

“A strike is always the last option. But sometimes it must be considered if workers are disrespected, underpaid, and overworked,” said Margarette Nerette, Vice President at 1199SEIU. “I am glad we were able to find a resolution because these dedicated nursing home workers who provide compassionate care to our loved ones deserve to be respected, protected and paid a living wage and our facilities should be staffed at safe levels.”