We Are Making Strides for Our Residents and Ourselves
Nearly one year ago, nursing home members from across the state began preparing for what we knew would be some of our most difficult bargaining in years.
Our employers had been talking about real and potential cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, cut to benefits for non-union employees, and they made it clear that they intended to demand cuts from us.
Instead of sitting back and waiting to begin our campaign after bargaining started, we went on offense early and were up and running by the time we got to the table in January.
We have been busy:
- Educating our co-workers about our industry and the need to stick together
- Meeting with our legislators to talk about the work we do
- Coming together for a bargaining conference
- Wearing our buttons and stickers
- Handing out leaflets to our co-workers
- Signing petitions
- Organizing non-union LPNs
- Coming to Harrisburg to lobby our legislators
- Holding a state-wide day of action at our facilities
- And we kept talking to our co-workers to get ready to do whatever it takes
And it paid off. Over the past week we have settled contracts with Golden Living, Extendicare, Genesis, and Global, and independent facilities covering over 40 nursing homes across the state.
In all cases, we were able to maintain current standards, expand access to training and education, and achieve wage increases. And we did not agree to any management demands for concessions.Members will be voting to ratify their new contacts over the coming days and weeks.
But our work is not over.
We have bargaining scheduled with Reliant facilities and we will be bargaining a number of other independent providers over the coming weeks and months.
We need to continue to engage our legislators to increase funding for nursing home care and push our legislative proposals to improve care and increase accountability. We need to push for expanded access to Medicaid and we need to make sure that we elect a new governor who supports workers and quality care.