On September 23, 86 Certified Nursing Assistants at Hamilton Continuing Care, a nursing home in New Jersey, voted overwhelmingly to join 1199SEIU. The CNAs joined with 1199SEIU’s over 350,000 members in the healthcare field, including over 70,000 nursing home workers. They cited the need for stronger representation on the job and the backing of a union focused on healthcare workers in order to provide the best care to their residents.

“We need a strong union like 1199 that knows about nursing and healthcare,” said Hamilton CNA Joan Johnson about her decision to vote yes for 1199. “1199 is helping to build workers’ esteem and trust because now we know that we have support in our working environment.”

With the backing of 1199, the Hamilton CNAs are confident that they will achieve a voice in patient care, dignity and respect, job security, consistent health insurance, opportunities for educational advancement, fair wages and a better future for their families. Nursing home workers throughout New Jersey and beyond have been overwhelmingly successful in achieving these improvements.

“I’ve worked for Hamilton Continuing Care for 16 years, and it’s time for a change,” said CNA Tonisha Bethea. “I voted for 1199 because they can help us win a better pay rate and a voice on the job.”