At a Town Hall meeting on Sept. 29 in Union City, NJ scores of 1199SEIU members gathered to share stories about how inadequate staffing in their nursing homes affects their ability to care for their residents. More than 40,000 people in New Jersey depend on nursing home workers for around-the-clock care. Yet, in spite of workers’ loving care and dedication, the American Association of Retired Persons ranked the state’s homes second worst in the country for patients diagnosed with bedsores. Proof that without adequate staff even the most dedicated workers can do only so much. Legislation has been introduced in New Jersey to establish minimum staffing ratios for CNAs. Caregivers say it’s badly needed. Union City Mayor and NJ State Senator Brian Stack was at the event and pledged his support for the legislation, vowing to do everything possible to turn the bill he is sponsoring into a law. Stack’s mother was cared for in a nursing home before she passed away. “We have a deep obligation to ensure that all of our state’s seniors receive the type of care that we would expect for our own loved ones,” said Stack. “Nursing home residents and their families need peace of mind that their caregivers are able to devote the time to provide compassionate care.”