Florida Nursing Home Caregivers Secure More Health Insurance Options and Raises in Newly Ratified Contract

December 22, 2014

Florida Nursing Home Caregivers Secure More Health Insurance Options and Raises in Newly Ratified Contract

Dec 22, 2014

consulate_bargaining_november_group_november_2014_600px.jpg



Thanks to the work of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East bargaining committee members and our co-workers, nursing home workers at 17 Consulate Health Care-owned facilities in Florida have secured raises and three new health insurance options in a newly ratified contract.



tamara_burns_bay_breeze_cna_november_2014_350px.jpg



“The bargaining process was like a rollercoaster but we’ve made a lot of progress,” said Tamara Burns a certified nursing assistant who has worked at Bay Breeze Health and Rehabilitation Center in Venice, FL for 15 years. “We need affordable insurance, and I like the fact they we have three options now. It’s a step in the right direction.”



Burns’ love of caring for her residents motivated her to continue pushing forward throughout the bargaining process.



“I got involved in healthcare because I wanted to help people and take care of them. My favorite thing about working with residents at the nursing home is just being there for them, talking with them, listening to them and learning about their background. It really helps the residents feel better when you sit and listen to them. It touches them. It does something to them. They enjoy it and I enjoy it.”



Burns highlighted the importance of continuing to move forward and preparing for a contract re-opener with Consulate in six months.



“It’s important that we work together so that we can be in a better place later on, so that we can move forward, and not just be standing still. We have to work together as a team to make things happen. I’d like to see more people getting together and uniting. I’d like to get more people involved to let them know how important this is for their future and their children’s future. We’ve got to start getting involved now. Now is the time.”