MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact: Mindy Berman | 518.229.0486

WHAT: Frontline nursing home workers at Diamond Hill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, will hold a silent and solemn vigil, expressing their grief and concern. According to a recent article by ProPublica, “By June, eighteen of Diamond Hill’s residents had died from the virus and 58 had been infected. At least 50 of the facility’s more than 100 workers had also been sickened with COVID-19.”

The workers have been facing enormous challenges that include:

• Shortage of appropriately fitting PPE and lack of training on how to use it;
• Poor infection control practices;
• Failure to isolate COVID-19 positive residents;
• Refusal to recognize healthcare worker sacrifices, including their grief and loss, adding insult to injury by stopping hero/crisis pay;
• Ongoing short-staffing;
• Refusal for years to agree to a contract that will raise wage and benefit standards and help to recruit and retain a qualified and stable staff.

WHEN/WHERE: THURSDAY, JUNE 18 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Diamond Hill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, 100 New Turnpike Rd, Troy,

Photo opportunities and interviews will be available at the site, however under pandemic circumstances, as well worker schedules, it may not be possible to interview the participants face to face. 1199SEIU will arrange phone/Zoom/etc. interviews by request, either before or after the vigil. (518.229.0486 )

This is a silent vigil. There will be no chanting and no milling around. Workers will be participating on their own time; a day off, lunch or break. All public health laws instituted during the pandemic will be followed All participants will be wearing masks and will be standing at least 6 ft to 10 ft apart. All media must do the same.

1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. We represent over 450,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all. For more information: http://www.1199seiu.org/ Please check out https://1199onthefrontlines.org/