The Albany County Central Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO (ACCFL) and the Capital District Area Labor Federation (CDALF) have been mobilizing their members and calling upon county legislators to stand with 1199SEIU healthcare workers in the fight against the privatization of the Albany County Nursing Home in New York’s capital city.

Neighborhood leafleting and candlelight vigils are part of a continuing series of public actions in response to County Executive Dan McCoy's plan to lease the county nursing home to a private corporation. 1199SEIU members and their allies have thanked the legislators who have already stated their opposition to the lease proposal, and urge others to work to defeat the privatization plan.

"The ACCFL and our 30,000 union members in Albany County stand with these families and workers against the senseless privatization of Albany County's historic public nursing home.” said ACCFL President Bill Ritchie. “The proposal by the county executive is nothing but an irresponsible corporate giveaway that makes profit, rather than quality health care, the county's priority. That's shameful. We are urging all county legislators not to support the privatization plan, because it would strip workers of their contracts, reduce their wages and benefits, and place the quality care of our frail and elderly in jeopardy."

Sara Niccoli, Executive Director of the NYS Labor-Religion Coalition, agreed. "Faith leaders and community members stand with the ACCFL in fighting for quality care and good local jobs in Albany County,” she said. “Our community's seniors and hard- working people are being set up as the next victims in the corporate race to the bottom and we cannot remain silent. Together, we stand for quality care and dignity of work over corporate profit."

Local area unions involved in the fight-back effort include IUE-CWA #81359, SEIU Local 200 United, PEF/UFCW, IFPTE #147 and CWA #1118