Members of the largest long-term care union in New Jersey, 1199SEIU caregivers gathered on December 9 at the headquarters of Seniors Management-North, Inc. in Cherry Hill to ask for a fair contract for workers at four nursing homes. The institutions are located in Barnegat, Galloway, Manchester Township and Wanaque.

Participants gathered at the company’s headquarters to submit over 3,000 signatures from fellow caregivers and community members from across the state who support their fight for better wages, affordable healthcare benefits, a secure retirement, and continued training opportunities.

“I’ve worked at Manchester Manor for one and a half years,” said Randy Mauel, a Dietary Aide at Manchester Manor Rehabilitation Center. “Since I’ve worked here, we’ve never had an increase in wages or any other compensation. We’ve been in negotiations [with management] my whole time of employment.”

Contracts at the four facilities expired earlier this year, and a new settlement between management and workers has not yet been reached. Today’s action is part of an ongoing campaign to inform New Jersey residents and public officials about the need to secure fair contracts for workers in order to improve standards and maintain quality residential care.

“It’s very hard to make ends meet as it is. We need our health care and better wages,” said Robin Byrd, a Certified Nursing Assistant at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation. “We really do care about our residents. It’s time for someone to care about us.”