FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RALLY and PRESS CONFERENCE: MONDAY, JULY 26, 2021
Contact: Mindy Berman | 518.229.0486

WHAT: RALLY AND PRESS CONFERENCE
WHEN: MONDAY, JULY 26, PRESS AVAIL BEGINS AT 2:50 P.M.
WHERE: LIVINGSTON HILLS NURSING HOME, 2781 RT. 9, HUDSON (IN FRONT, RT. 9)
WHO: 1199SEIU NURSING HOME WORKERS, FAMILIES OF NURSING HOME RESIDENTS, LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND LEADERS, CONCERNED COMMUNITY

The residents, caregivers and all of their families at Livingston Hills Nursing Home have been on a dangerous rollercoaster ride of uncertainty for years. Often on the brink of closure due to short-staffing and non-payment to vendors, especially the fund that provides health benefits for the workers, every effort to sell the distressed skilled nursing home has fallen apart.

Until now. Mr. Jack Koschitizki is fully prepared to purchase the home. He already acted in good faith, recognized 1199SEIU as the workers’ bargaining representative and negotiated a contract that has been approved by union members. It is notable that he owns and operates a Dutchess County nursing home with a 5-star rating.

However, the sale cannot go through unless it is approved by the Office of Primary Care and Health Systems Management in the NYS Department of Health (DOH.) It is unclear why DOH has failed to act with the necessary urgency under current circumstances. Short staffing issues persist at Livingston Hills and have been getting worse, and now the threat of the Delta variant is looming. Furthermore, the current owner, Jeffrey Vegh, is once again delinquent in payment to the workers’ Health Benefit Fund.

Press conference participants will discuss why the worst scenario would be one where the residents would be forced to lose their home if the facility closes.

#####

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/