FT MYERS, FL – After months of unsuccessful efforts to reach a contract settlement, the caregivers of Consulate of North Fort Myers nursing home have voted to strike unless management offers a contract proposal comparable to the ones offered to 17 other Consulate Health Care-owned facilities represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East (“1199SEIU Florida”).
While the decision to strike was not easy, the caregivers at Consulate of North Fort Myers, voted unanimously to strike because they are overburdened and underpaid. “What we’re asking for is simple. We’re only asking for the same thing that thousands of other Consulate employees across Florida already have. No more. No less,” explained Gail Bruno, a certified nursing assistant with more than 17 years at Consulate of North Fort Myers. “We work hard every day to care for our residents, but we also need to care for our families. It’s time they give us the same contract as our brothers and sisters at the other facilities. We’re willing to do whatever it takes, and if that means we have to strike, then so be it. “
Last year, 17 Consulate Health Care facilities represented by 1199SEIU Florida settled wage and benefit re-openers that guarantee fair pay and better working conditions. On July 17, 2014, the caregivers at Consulate’s North Fort Myers facility voted to form a union and be represented by 1199SEIU Florida. More than eight months later, North Fort Myers has yet to see a contract proposal comparable to the ones offered to the other Consulate Health Care-owned facilities.
Consulate Health Care is the industry’s largest provider in the State of Florida. The company promises that its corporation is “at the heart of caring,” but is the company really investing in quality care and quality jobs? Many Consulate facilities, including North Fort Myers, have a history of being placed on Florida’s Nursing Home Watch List. Additionally, wages for caregivers have not kept up with the cost of living.
The caregivers and management are scheduled for contract negotiations next Tuesday, March 31. The caregivers have demanded that Consulate Health Care come to the bargaining table with a proposal that matches the agreements offered to the employees at 17 other Consulate Health Care owned facilities represented by 1199SEIU Florida.
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East Florida represents more than 25,000 nurses and healthcare workers throughout the state and 400,000 workers across Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Florida, and Washington, D.C., 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. Our mission is to achieve affordable, high quality healthcare for all. 1199SEIU is part of the 2.1 million-member Service Employees International Union.
While the decision to strike was not easy, the caregivers at Consulate of North Fort Myers, voted unanimously to strike because they are overburdened and underpaid. “What we’re asking for is simple. We’re only asking for the same thing that thousands of other Consulate employees across Florida already have. No more. No less,” explained Gail Bruno, a certified nursing assistant with more than 17 years at Consulate of North Fort Myers. “We work hard every day to care for our residents, but we also need to care for our families. It’s time they give us the same contract as our brothers and sisters at the other facilities. We’re willing to do whatever it takes, and if that means we have to strike, then so be it. “
Last year, 17 Consulate Health Care facilities represented by 1199SEIU Florida settled wage and benefit re-openers that guarantee fair pay and better working conditions. On July 17, 2014, the caregivers at Consulate’s North Fort Myers facility voted to form a union and be represented by 1199SEIU Florida. More than eight months later, North Fort Myers has yet to see a contract proposal comparable to the ones offered to the other Consulate Health Care-owned facilities.
Consulate Health Care is the industry’s largest provider in the State of Florida. The company promises that its corporation is “at the heart of caring,” but is the company really investing in quality care and quality jobs? Many Consulate facilities, including North Fort Myers, have a history of being placed on Florida’s Nursing Home Watch List. Additionally, wages for caregivers have not kept up with the cost of living.
The caregivers and management are scheduled for contract negotiations next Tuesday, March 31. The caregivers have demanded that Consulate Health Care come to the bargaining table with a proposal that matches the agreements offered to the employees at 17 other Consulate Health Care owned facilities represented by 1199SEIU Florida.
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East Florida represents more than 25,000 nurses and healthcare workers throughout the state and 400,000 workers across Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Florida, and Washington, D.C., 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. Our mission is to achieve affordable, high quality healthcare for all. 1199SEIU is part of the 2.1 million-member Service Employees International Union.
