Check out some of the upcoming events for 2023 in the Maryland/DC region.
MIAMI---Essential long-term care workers across Florida are being shortchanged by nursing home operators in violation of a new state legislation requiring a $15 per hour minimum wage, according to 199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, Florida’s largest union of nursing home and hospital caregivers.
Albany/New York –On Thursday, nursing home workers, members of 1199SEIU, will call for full and swift implementation of the package of nursing home reform laws signed by Gov. Hochul earlier this year. Initially passed by the legislature in 2021, the reforms include provisions that require nursing homes to meet minimum staffing levels of 3.5 hours per resident per day and spend at least 70% of revenue on resident care.
Members of the public are encouraged to RSVP by calling (585) 730-6433. Anyone attending the memorial event is asked to wear their union t-shirt or something featuring Frederick Douglass. Masking is encouraged and all are welcome.
Buffalo, NY – Yesterday, 40 homecare workers from Schofield Home Health Care voted to join 1199SEIU, making it one of the first Licensed Home Health Care agencies in Buffalo to unionize in Western New York. Homecare Workers will be represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest healthcare union in the country.
“We commend AG James for investigating and exposing for-profit nursing home operators who profit from taxpayer monies at the expense of resident care. The allegations outlined in this lawsuit are appalling and tragic yet all too familiar to nursing home workers who experience the impact of resources being funneled away from the bedside and into the owner’s pockets.
Rochester, NY - It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of national labor leader, friend, co-worker, and retired 1199SEIU Vice-President Bruce Popper. Bruce passed away at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester yesterday afternoon at the age of 71. Bruce is survived by his wife of 36 years Barbara and his daughter Katherine Dee Popper.
Albany, NY: New York’s Public Health and Health Planning Council met today to vote on regulations that would guide the implementation of two laws that were passed in 2021:
Buffalo, NY – Last month, union members at the Alba de Vida clinic participated in Labor Management Meetings to address safety planning at the lower west side clinic. The clinic is run by Promesa, Inc, an affiliate of Acacia Network. Healthcare workers felt increasing concern over providing care to patients without added security protections in place and worked with management to add security and safety plans at clinic sites in Buffalo and Dunkirk. Clinic staff are represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.
There are many critical issues that could affect working families depending on the outcome of the midterm elections - from voting rights to women’s reproductive freedom. But a top priority for member political organizer Karen Scott is staffing. It’s an issue she knows well as a longtime certified nursing assistant (CNA) at an assisted living facility in Tampa. Right now, she’s devoting her time to electoral work to help get out the vote. But she says she still hears grim stories from colleagues about the impact unsafe staffing is having on residents and caregivers.