URGENT PRESS CONFERENCE:
When: Friday, October 4 at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Rockefeller Road, Delmar
Who: Greg Speller, Executive Vice President, 1199SEIU; Several Caregivers from Good Samaritan and Kenwood Manor
Photo, video and interview opportunities available on site.

Background: Caregivers at Lutheran Care’s Good Samaritan Nursing Home and Kenwood Manor in Delmar are gravely concerned that their employer, Lutheran Care Network (operators of Good Samaritan Nursing Home/Kenwood Manor) is having financial difficulty and trying to sell the facilities. They say their ability to deliver quality care is impeded by the lack of resources and constant uncertainty. There isn't enough staff to meet residents' needs and there aren't enough supplies.

Making things worse, Lutheran Care hasn't been paying into the employee’s contractually required Health Benefit Fund, now they’ve been notified their benefits will be terminated. The workers say this is enormously troubling because while their commitment to the residents inspires them to continue their work under extremely challenging circumstances, they also must be able to take care of their families and of course, themselves. 

Some of the voices you will hear at the press conference:

“No one wants to leave their job, and we are aware that short-staffing is already a problem—but without health benefits, what choice do we have?”

“My husband is sick, and we have our health benefits through my job.  What are we going to do if suddenly we don't have health insurance? What about my son?  And I need to be healthy in order to care for my vulnerable residents!  This is a crisis situation."

“The Lutheran Care Network must pay what they owe to our Benefit Fund; any buyer or new operator must honor our union and our contract, including our Health Benefit Fund, current and future operators must make quality care a priority.”