PRESS RELEASE: Monday, June 12, 2023

Contact: April.Ezzell@1199.org, 1199SEIU Communications (716) 449-1620

The homecare providers at Community Care Companions voted overwhelmingly to join 1199SEIU, United Healthcare Workers East. From Buffalo to Rochester and Long Island, more than 1,600 workers across all sectors of home health care now have a voice on the job. Homecare providers join more than 150,000 unionized homecare workers across New York state and will now have an opportunity to negotiate a contract to improve working conditions and client care.

"I have been working at Community Care for almost 10 years,” said Janie Henley, Home Health Aide. “Winning our union with 1199SEIU means that we can have a real voice on the job and will be able to bargain for paid time off, paid vacation time, and better wages," said Henley.

"Home care workers are out there on their own, now after winning our union we are one whole workforce united with 1199SEIU,” said Stacey Felder, Home Health Aide. “We will stand for each other and a fair contract for our profession,” said Felder.

Home care has become the fastest-growing job in the country, but is also among the lowest paid. Home care professionals – typically referred to as Home Health Aides (HHA) or Personal Care Attendants (PCA) work hard to care for seniors and people living with disabilities, providing clients with essential care like toileting, bathing and feeding. Across New York, home care workers are earning just above minimum wage and lack essential benefits like health care or paid sick days.

Studies show these low wages are causing alarmingly high turnover, jeopardizing critical services, and straining the home care system for the growing number of seniors who choose living at home over expensive long-term care facilities.

By voting to join 1199SEIU, the 1,600 homecare professionals at Community Care Companions will now have a collective voice to imfprove working conditions and fight for a better care system for all.

1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. We represent over 400,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. In New York alone, the union represents 150,000 home care workers. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
www.1199seiu.org