In an effort to protect quality standards in nursing care, Syracuse, NY nursing home workers and members of 1199SEIU held a public town hall meeting June 23rd at People's AME Zion Church.



New York Assemblymembers Bill Magnarelli, Sam Roberts, and Al Stirpe were invited to sit on the panel and Congressman Dan Maffei made an appearance via telephone. The elected officials listened intently as the caregivers told their stories about the joys and difficulties they face every day, including short staffing and maintaining quality care. The nursing home workers also appealed to the politiicans for their support as they negotiate their next contracts.



Hatisha Holmes, a LPN at Rosewood Nursing Home, said, "Every day, I am asked to do more with less. I am asked to carry out tasks to care for my elders with less and less staff. Since we are so dependent on public funding, we need to let our elected officials know our job, so that they can do their part to support us."



Vena Person, a CNA at Menorah Park (AKA the Jewish Home), added, "I love my elders. Helping them out brings me such joy. But it's getting harder and harder to give the level of care that they deserve without the proper staffing at the facility. We need our elected officials to stand with us for proper care."



Elected officials will be given the opportunity to sign the "Four Principles" pledge as a symbol of their commitment to nursing home caregivers. The "Four Principles" read:



1.) I will fight to ensure nursing home facilities have the resources necessary to provide quality care to elders.

2.) I will demand that healthcare workers be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.

3.) I will support Nursing Home Workers as they fight to maintain their Quality Standards of decent wages, good benefits, and a secure retirement.

4.) I agree to walk a picket line, write letters, and/or do anything else in my power to publicly show my support for these workers, if necessary.



All three of the Assemblymembers signed the pledge without hesitation and shared their heartfelt gratitude for the hard work that caregivers do.