In July, less than 24 hours after 1199ers picketed Unlimited Care, a home care agency in White Plains, NY, management signed a contract guaranteeing workers’ raises and benefits.

Unlimited Care is short-changing us,” said home care member Irma L. Vargas as she picketed the agency, where she has worked for seven years. “I love my work and want to keep doing it, but I also need a living wage and good benefits.”

New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer and Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins joined the workers protesting Unlimited Care’s refusal to sign a fair contract with their dedicated staff.

The protest came after members negotiated an agreement with Unlimited Care four months earlier, including wage increases and maintaining their benefits. But, management refused to sign that contract. Unlimited Care is a licensed home care agency that markets itself as helping: “secure the highest quality health care services.” The protesting workers said that they are committed to providing the highest quality care, but were concerned about how much longer they could continue doing this vital work in one of the most expensive communities in the country without a contract that allows them to keep up with the cost of living.