Statement of Milly Silva, Executive Vice President, on Supreme Court DAPA/DACA decision

Lewiston, NY – Dozens of workers marched and chanted “Fair Contract Now” in front of Ascension Living at Our Lady of Peace in Lewiston yesterday. More than 150 Nursing home workers at Our Lady of Peace have been working without a union contract since December 31, 2021 when their 16- month contract expired. Caregivers are represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East have been negotiating with Ascension Living since early November last year. Yesterday, workers wanted to inform the public of their staffing crisis and unit closures brought on by a lack of competitive wages.

Local Caregivers Say Ascension Living Closed Three Units and Threatens Lay-Offs Amid Staffing Crisis Exacerbated By Low Wages

“It’s outrageous that legislators in Tallahassee are allowing the nursing home industry to make Florida unsafe for seniors with advancing bills such as HB 1239 and SB 804 that make more drastic and dangerous cuts to minimum care standards.

Bronx-based Centers Health Care is refusing sufficient wages for nursing home workers who are STILL risking their health and safety while caring for the frail and elderly during the worse pandemic in recent history; most have not received a raise since 2018.

Thank you for the opportunity to deliver this testimony regarding the proposed health budget on behalf of the 300,000 New York State members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.

MIAMI - A new investigative report on America’s largest for-profit hospital corporation, HCA Healthcare (NYSE: HCA), suggests the company may be engaging in widespread Medicare admissions fraud that may have cost taxpayers billions of dollars even before the COVID-19 public healthcare emergency began.

Want to know what's going on around the around MD/DC region? The 2022 1199SEIU Maryland DC Regional Newsletter Archive web page can help. Stay up to date with past and present contract victories, member features, events, and much more.

Union Caregivers Working Without A Contract Say Low Wages Exacerbate Staffing Crisis While St. Louis Based Ascension Living Closes Three Units, Threatens Layoffs

We have thousands of union members across Maryland and DC, and if we come together this year, we can pass bills and elect leaders that will get us what we need – fully-staffed facilities and safe and healthy communities.

“We have reached collective bargaining agreements with Complete Care management at ten NJ nursing homes. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, it is more important than ever for labor and management to stabilize jobs in this critical industry. We look forward to contract ratification by our membership.”