Thousands Of 1199SEIU Healthcare Workers And Supporters Fill A Bronx Neighborhood
Thousands of 1199SEIU healthcare workers and their supporters filled the narrow streets of a Bronx neighborhood on Saturday, March 15. They were there in solidarity to support striking caregivers at Kingsbridge Heights Rehabilitation Center, a 350-bed nursing home in the west Bronx, and one of the most profitable nursing homes in the state.For more than 3 weeks, the nursing home’s 220 dedicated 1199SEIU caregivers have been braving a strike picket line, everyday even in the harshest of weather.. The owner, Helen Sieger, makes a considerable amount of money due to the hard work of the home’s workers. But, Ms. Sieger has refused to negotiate in good faith and workers have been without a contract since 2000. Workers’ healthcare coverage was terminated in November 2007 after Ms. Sieger failed to make payments to the employees Health Benefits Fund. Kingsbridge workers were faced with no option but to go on strike on February 20th, after the employer failed to show up at a meeting called by a state mediator the evening before the strike deadline.
Elected officials, community leaders and nursing home residents’ family members rallied in support of the striking workers, urging Helen Sieger to give workers the dignity of a fair contract and the security of healthcare coverage for themselves and their families.
“This strike was the only option left for us after Helen Sieger refused to pay for our health benefits. It’s been three long weeks and she has shown no consideration for how this strike is affecting the nursing home residents or the community,” said Jacqueline Simono, an 1199 member who has worked at Kingsbridge for 12 years. All we want to do is go back to work taking care of our patients but we have to stand up for our rights. I have a four-year old daughter who is asthmatic and has been without healthcare for 4 months now. Helen Sieger needs to do the right thing and return to the negotiating table so we can all return to work.”
Stan Funches, whose elderly Aunt is a resident of Kingsbridge said, “These folks are so close to my aunt, they take such good care of her so I can go to work with peace of mind every day. I support them one hundred percent. What Helen Sieger is doing isn't right. She should negotiate with them and give them the benefits they need to take care of their families -- after all, they take good care of mine."
The community residents haves given enormous support to the workers. Phil McDonnell, President of the Fort Independence Park Neighborhood Association spoke enthusiastically to the crowd. He said, “Our motto is “Neighbors Working Together”. Together, we are privileged to be supporting 1199 SEIU workers in their fight for a fair contract. After all, health care workers need health care! We are proud of our neighborhood, it is the place we call home, and we are proud to have you as our neighbors. Remember united we stand, and STAND STRONG we must! This battle will be won!”
Next up is a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, March 20 at the Fort Independence Senior Center 3350 Bailey Avenue, Bronx where community members and elected officials will once again voice their concerns and urge Helen Sieger to do the right thing and end the strike immediately.