We are DONE Being Patient -- We Are Getting Ready for Potential Strikes 

We, the undersigned - dietary, housekeeping, laundry, CNAs, LPNs, maintenance, activities, personal care workers - make our nursing home run. It is OUR work that residents and their families count on day to day and we are proud to serve them. However, we all know now what irresponsible nursing home operators have done to our homes; the pandemic only aggravated a pre-existing problem, for nursing but also, for ALL support staff.

It is a terrible thing for all of Pennsylvania that people do not see this work as sufficiently valuable or important to want to do it. There's a shortage of workers and turnover is incredibly high. That's why we have made the difficult decision to stand up and fight and potentially strike if we have to. We deserve better and so do our residents.

Together, we are working to force the industry to change our jobs in ways that draw workers to our ranks, which ultimately benefits everyone in our care. Your failure to invest in our work is beyond disappointing, as is your refusal to provide the information we need to bargain over staffing.

We stand committed to the following goals:

• Substantial increases in wages for all employees. Getting people in the door means lifting the start rate for all workers (not just nursing staff but housekeeping, dietary and other important support staff), but keeping them there means significant across the board annual raises for all. Workers who don't yet have the ability to participate in the union's training and upgrade fund should be able to do so.
• Employer paid health insurance and inclusion in the Union's health and welfare fund.
• Protection of the existing contract in the event of a sale
• The ability to ensure the employers follow the new state regulations governing staffing in nursing homes.
• A written commitment not to interfere in any way with the rights of workers who choose to join the union, in keeping with the intention of labor law.

We - Pennsylvania's nursing home workers and residents - are counting on you to step up here. There is no reason you cannot adequately fund the healthcare work you called “essential” just last year and have money for your other priorities, too.