Caregivers at Oceanside Extended Care Center in Miami Beach Urge Employer to Have a Heart and Pay Fair Wages

January 1, 1970

More than 40 caregivers at Oceanside Extended Care Center picketed in front of the facility in South Beach on Valentine’s Day to urge their employer to return to the bargaining table and resume negotiations, which have lasted three years. Caregivers are frustrated with their employer’s refusal to bargain their contract. On January 22, Oceanside management cancelled the scheduled negotiation session and have not responded to caregivers’ requests to negotiate in February.



“I love my job, but the last 3 years have been a roller coaster. We keep getting excuses. Phillip Esformes, the owner, says the nursing home doesn’t have any money, funding is on hold because of government cuts,” said Pamela Mayers, a dietary supervisor who has worked at Oceanside for 14 years. “We want the public to know that we’ve been getting the same excuses for three years, and you can’t keep going through the same thing. We’re getting tired and upset. Our wages can’t be at a standstill. Everything else is going up. I just got a letter from rent office. Every time I renew my lease, my rent goes up. It’s going up again but our wages stay the same.”



Since 2010, more than 150 certified nursing assistants (CNAs), therapists, dietary workers, laundry aides and housekeeping staff have not had a raise. Workers want a fair contract that ensures better pay, job security in the case of employer transfer, a fair grievance process and a voice in how care is delivered in their nursing home.