Dozens of healthcare workers at Sherwood Oaks, a premiere senior living facility owned by UPMC in Cranberry, Pa., took to the streets on Tuesday for an informational picket to demand respect and fair wages so they could improve quality of care and foster a sense of community for residents and workers alike.
Workers at Sherwood Oaks have been in contract negotiations with UPMC management for several months now. Their last contract expired at the end of July.
“We’ve had perfect state inspections for the past two years,” Shelly Rohm, a CNA at the home, said in a statement to the Pittsburgh Business Times. “That success is because of those of us working here. If UPMC refuses to provide fair wages, I worry we’ll continue to have high turnover, and that is not what’s best for our residents.”
“People living with dementia are easily upset and confused. We need to build a bond with them and earn their trust,” explained Pam Scott, a CNA in the dementia ward. “Consistency is key to providing these men and women the highest quality care.”
UPMC purchased Sherwood Oaks in 2005 and though the home made $1.3 million in profit over the last three years and has paid UPMC $4.4 million, many full time workers struggle to make ends meet.
“I did my bills last week and realized I’m $100 in the hole,” said Melinda Matthews, a housekeeper. “And it’s entirely because of copays for my UPMC insurance; because I got sick. It’s not right to be paid so little by UPMC, then turn around and owe them your paycheck for medical bills.”
Despite its claiming to be a charity, UPMC pays 26 executives over $1 million-a-year each; CEO Jeffrey Romoff netted a $6 million salary in 2011. More than 55,000 people across the state work for UPMC, yet thousands – including Sherwood Oaks workers — do not make enough for their basic needs. Almost half of all workers make under $10 an hour.
“It isn’t the name on the door that makes Sherwood Oaks, Sherwood Oaks. It’s the people inside,” Rohm told the Butler Eagle.
“While many of us here struggle to get by, UPMC is sitting on billions,” continued Rohm. “Maybe some of that should go into making sure there is a strong workforce to take care of our residents.”