Caregivers employed by Greystone Health Network, frustrated by the company’s recent proposal during difficult contract negotiations to reduce the number of hours they work each day, voted overwhelmingly to strike last week at seven nursing homes throughout Florida.



Like so many working people, caregivers are asked to do more with less. Many Greystone nursing homes assign fewer caregivers to residents than the average nursing home, according to data from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.



At the last round of contract negotiations in St. Petersburg, the company increased its wage proposal, but only if workers gave up their right to a guaranteed eight-hour work day.



“If we had to cut our work day by 30 minutes, that would mean less time to care for residents. We only have so much time each shift to get residents bathed or showered, fed and changed. On top of that we have to document everything,” explained Christine Gadson, a CNA of 28 years who works at Apollo Health and Rehabilitation Center in St. Petersburg. “Now they want to cut the number of hours we work or cancel our shifts when there is so much work to be done? That’s just wrong and that’s why we voted to strike.”



Caregivers will return to the bargaining table June 26 – 27. They will strike on July 2 if no agreement is reached.