“There is an undeniable link between quality standards for workers and quality care for residents.”
When: Friday, August 21, 2015 at 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Fiddlers Green Manor Nursing Home, 168 W. Main St., Springville, N.Y.
What: Informational Picket, Interviews and Photo Opportunities Available
Workers at Fiddler’s Green Manor Nursing Home in Springville, N.Y., members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the state’s powerful healthcare workers union, will be picketing the nursing home on Friday, August 21. A legally required 10-day notice was presented to management on Tuesday, August 11, after negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement failed to make progress on key issues.
1199SEIU negotiating committee member Janine Lemke, an activities aide for eight years said, “My coworkers and I have been trying to bargain serious issues like wages, benefits and safe staffing for seven months, to no avail. In the meantime, people who love their residents and love their jobs are looking for work somewhere else, because we’re being stretched to our limits here. And when a nursing home can’t retain staff and continuity of care—in the end, it’s the residents who suffer,” she said.
“We’re picketing in front of the nursing home next Friday to let the public know that a fair contract is important, not only to us and our families, but also to the residents and their loved ones, because there is an undeniable link between quality standards for workers and quality care for residents,” said Lemke. The informational picket to inform the public about the current situation at the nursing home will take place on the workers’ own time and there will be no disruption of work schedules. The next date for negotiations is scheduled for almost a week later, on Thursday, August 27.
Background: On February 10, over 83 nursing home workers* at Fiddler’s Green Manor Nursing Home were certified as members of 1199SEIU, after voting to join the union on January 30, 2015. Six months and five negotiating sessions later, the workers are still without a collective bargaining agreement. The nursing home was purchased by a group of downstate for-profit investors after the previous owner, Colin Hart, declared bankruptcy. That sale was approved in October, 2013. Hart continues to be the nursing home’s administrator and attends bargaining sessions.
“A C.N.A. working here for three years makes $9.14 an hour. That needs to change. It’s essential that healthcare jobs provide fair wages and steady employment for those who dedicate their lives caring for the sick and elderly,” said Todd Hobler, 1199SEIU Vice President. “Good healthcare jobs mean improved patient care and a boost for the economy. That’s why settling a decent contract has value for everyone.”
*The members of the bargaining unit include licensed practical nurses (LPNS), certified nursing assistants (CNAs), unit clerks, and laundry and other service workers.
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. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all
When: Friday, August 21, 2015 at 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Fiddlers Green Manor Nursing Home, 168 W. Main St., Springville, N.Y.
What: Informational Picket, Interviews and Photo Opportunities Available
Workers at Fiddler’s Green Manor Nursing Home in Springville, N.Y., members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the state’s powerful healthcare workers union, will be picketing the nursing home on Friday, August 21. A legally required 10-day notice was presented to management on Tuesday, August 11, after negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement failed to make progress on key issues.
1199SEIU negotiating committee member Janine Lemke, an activities aide for eight years said, “My coworkers and I have been trying to bargain serious issues like wages, benefits and safe staffing for seven months, to no avail. In the meantime, people who love their residents and love their jobs are looking for work somewhere else, because we’re being stretched to our limits here. And when a nursing home can’t retain staff and continuity of care—in the end, it’s the residents who suffer,” she said.
“We’re picketing in front of the nursing home next Friday to let the public know that a fair contract is important, not only to us and our families, but also to the residents and their loved ones, because there is an undeniable link between quality standards for workers and quality care for residents,” said Lemke. The informational picket to inform the public about the current situation at the nursing home will take place on the workers’ own time and there will be no disruption of work schedules. The next date for negotiations is scheduled for almost a week later, on Thursday, August 27.
Background: On February 10, over 83 nursing home workers* at Fiddler’s Green Manor Nursing Home were certified as members of 1199SEIU, after voting to join the union on January 30, 2015. Six months and five negotiating sessions later, the workers are still without a collective bargaining agreement. The nursing home was purchased by a group of downstate for-profit investors after the previous owner, Colin Hart, declared bankruptcy. That sale was approved in October, 2013. Hart continues to be the nursing home’s administrator and attends bargaining sessions.
“A C.N.A. working here for three years makes $9.14 an hour. That needs to change. It’s essential that healthcare jobs provide fair wages and steady employment for those who dedicate their lives caring for the sick and elderly,” said Todd Hobler, 1199SEIU Vice President. “Good healthcare jobs mean improved patient care and a boost for the economy. That’s why settling a decent contract has value for everyone.”
*The members of the bargaining unit include licensed practical nurses (LPNS), certified nursing assistants (CNAs), unit clerks, and laundry and other service workers.
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. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all
