“Nursing home workers must have health benefits to take care of ourselves so we can appropriately care for the sick, frail elderly.”
When: Friday, May 1, 2015 at 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Emerald South Nursing Home, 1175 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo
What: Informational Picket, Interviews and Photo Opportunities Available
Background: 1199SEIU and the former employer, Presbyterian Homes, had a 3-year contract (effective April 2013-2016) when the nursing home was purchased by downstate owners and became the Emeralds (South and North), a few months later. Soon after that, the Emeralds unilaterally implemented (without consulting the union per the collective bargaining agreement) a new health insurance plan---copays doubled and coverage was reduced.
1199SEIU filed a grievance and an arbitrator ordered that the contract be reopened to specifically address health insurance benefits. At the the same time, the employer was ordered to pay the difference between the copays of the former health plan and the one instituted by the new employer. Negotiations for the reopener were held last winter, December 2014 and reached a settlement on February 12---more than 2 months ago. That settlement, which provides for better health insurance coverage and benefits, has yet to be implemented by the employer.
Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges have been filed with the National Labor Relations Board, as well as a 10-day notice for informational picketing, which will be held this Friday, May 1.
Patricia Traylor, C.N.A.: “I think it’s unfair that we had a contract and then my copay went from $10.00 to $40.00 without negotiating with us. I need 3 prescriptions every month, and I have to choose which I should give up because I can't afford all three.”
Virginia Holt, 20 years in Environmental Services: Being sick is scary enough and not being able to pay these high co-pays for office visits, hospital stays and prescriptions is overwhelming. People who work in healthcare, especially with the frail and elderly, need access to ualit care, preventive care to stay healthy, and other services and treatments. We shouldn’t have to choose between buying food for our families or paying for our prescriptions and our medical bills. But what should I do, -- I have a medical bill over $8,000.00 and I still have another surgery to go.”
####
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. We represent over 450,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
Health Care for All
