North Country Healthcare Workers Choose Unity & Power —Join 1199SEIU
November 3, 2017
The actions by caregivers at these upstate New York long-term care facilities come at time when extremist politicians and their wealthy supporters are funding attacks on working people. They are proposing and passing legislation in Congress and state capitals, and filing court cases at every level that are meant to divide communities, and stifle the voices of working people.
Lisa Lowes, a CNA at Summit Village voted with the majority in favor of a union. She said, “We needed to have a voice and having a union gives us that voice. Morale among CNAs has already changed, we are thrilled to be united and to have a say on the issues that matter to us, our residents, and all of our families.”
Now that they are union members, the Watertown nursing home workers can begin the collective bargaining process where they will negotiate their first contracts and address pressing issues like frequent staff turnover, stagnant wages and a fair workplace, all issues that have an impact on the delivery of quality care to their residents.
Marco Schmidt, a CNA at Samaritan Keep Home (SKH) said, “We are beyond ecstatic to stand up together with other 1199 members for the highest quality of care our residents.”
Maura Lowe, also from SKH said, “I want better working conditions to build a happy workplace which in return makes a better home for our residents.”