Some three hundred and fifty caregivers at three upstate New York nursing homes joined 1199SEIU in May. The driving force behind their decision to become 1199SEIU members was raising standards for all healthcare workers and their communities.



“I think all of us who work at nursing homes in the Pines network --- at my nursing home in Glens Falls and in Catskill and Utica too—believe that by becoming 1199 members we have made an investment that will bring up standards for workers, residents, and in the end, the communities where we work and live,” said Cindy Funderburk, a 36-year veteran CNA.



Two years ago, workers at The Pines in Poughkeepsie voted to join 1199SEIU because they wanted a voice on the job, the ability to provide the best possible resident care, and job security. Their first collective bargaining agreement was negotiated to address those concerns and the newest Pines 1199 members have set similar goals for their first contract.



Brenda Gagnon, a dietary worker at the Pines at Utica for the last three years, said, “I was in a union before, so I know that a union gives you a voice, especially when everyone comes together. With a contract, we will be able to better address scheduling issues we are having. And we will be able to fight together for the respect and dignity on the job that we deserve.”



Tyler Palen, a housekeeper at The Pines at Catskill agreed. “Becoming an 1199 member isn’t just about me,” he said. “The nursing home will be a better place for my co-workers and our residents when working conditions improve and no one has to live from paycheck to paycheck. No one wants to worry about paying the bills at home when they are at work.”



Funderburk of Glens Falls and Susan Crespo, a housekeeper at The Pines at Catskill both said they heard about the opportunity to join 1199 through conversations with other 1199 members in their community. “If I had any questions about the benefits of being a union member,” said Crespo, “they were answered when I spoke with nursing home workers who were already in the union. I learned what my rights are and I learned how having a contract will protect my rights at work. That’s important to me.”



“Clearly, having a union will improve our lives at our respective nursing homes and improve our ability to do what we love --- care for our residents,” said Funderburk. “But, I think it’s also important to remember that as we build the union, we are also helping to improve the economy. The more good jobs there are in any community, the more a community can thrive. I am proud to be a part of that effort.”



The three new bargaining units, which complete the network of 1199SEIU members at The Pines nursing homes in upstate New York, include LPNs, CNAs, dietary, housekeeping and other service workers.