Caregivers at Baptist Nursing Home in Schenectady Organize to Join 1199SEIU Workers Call on Management to Raise Standards for Residents and Employees
Schenectady, New York (PRWEB) March 25, 2015 -- On April 24, over 160 caregivers at Baptist Nursing and Rehabilitation Center will have an election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to join with 1199SEIU, the largest and most powerful union voice for healthcare workers in New York State and nationwide. The election will include caregivers at the nursing home, including certified nursing assistants (CNAs), restorative aides, housekeeping, laundry, transport, and various other titles.
The workers reached out to 1199SEIU in order to improve health outcomes. They chose 1199 because of the union’s success in bargaining contracts that help to maintain good, middle-class jobs for healthcare workers and quality care for communities.
“It’s time to make a change for our residents and ourselves,” said Amina Benjamin, a CNA who has been with Baptist for almost 18 years. “Not having enough staff means we don’t have as much time to spend with our residents as they deserve—to listen to their stories or hang out with them like they want—because we are always rushing around. By joining 1199 we hope we will be able to make improvements. by working together."
“Not having enough staff makes us feel bad that we don’t have time to connect with the residents who depend on us,” said Jodi Palmo-Peabody, a CNA at Baptist with almost 15 years of experience at the facility. With an 1199 contract we will establish safe staffing levels that are good for our residents and caregivers alike."
1199SEIU will do everything in our power to protect residents and caregivers, including meeting with elected officials.
Mindy Berman, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, http://www.1199seiu.org, +1 518-229-0486, [email protected]
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