1199SEIU members employed by First Chinese Presbyterian Home Attendant Corporation (FCPHAC) have vowed to continue their fight to get the corporation to honor the Union contract.

For close to a year, members have been picketing and leafleting to publicize FCPHAC’s refusal to pay the workers the sick, vacation and holiday pay provided for in the Union contract. The impasse began in April 2012 when FCPHAC was moved from New York State’s Human Resources Administration program to the state’s Managed Long Term Care program.

FCPHAC argued that it was no longer obligated to honor the members’ contract, although the state ruled otherwise. Other homecare agencies have used the transfer to the long-term care program as an excuse to undermine the contract.

The state has ruled that existing contracts are to remain in force and that continuity of care must be provided to the homecare clients.

The majority of the 1,200 FCPHAC members are of Chinese ancestry, but the members represent many nationalities and ethnic groups. On the picket lines, the members have chanted for justice and sang in English and Chinese.

“We want all the back pay that the agency owes us”, said FCPHAC member Mona Lewis while picketing March 7 outside FCPHAC’s Manhattan offices. “We want our benefits back.”

Representatives of city, state and federal officials joined the members on their picket line. One was a representative of City Council member Margaret Chin (D-Manhattan), who has urged FCPHAC to work with the Union to settle the contract.

Also at the picket and rally were a spokesperson for Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) and a representative of Assembly member Ron Kim of Queens.

Members have cited the importance of continuity of care and their concern for their clients. They have vowed to continue their fight and to escalate the pressure until they receive everything called for in their contract.