New Britain Nursing Home Sent Strike Notice

The SEIU District 1199 New England healthcare workers’ union announced Friday that a New Britain nursing home is among 33 to receive strike notices.

“After bravely enduring the strenuous assignment to serve nursing home residents through the Covid-19 pandemic,” the union said in its announcement, “workers are demanding livable wages and benefits, as well as staffing ratios that put an end to the short-staffing practices that harm both workers and residents.”

Rob Baril, president of District 1199 New England, SEIU, said that, “Connecticut’s long-term care system relies on poverty wages. By going on strike we are telling nursing home operators and the State of Connecticut that we are not willing to carry the yoke of poverty any longer.”

The union says that, “More than 3,400 workers at 33 nursing homes in Connecticut are ready to strike starting on May 14 at 6:00 AM. All 33 nursing homes that received strike notifications Friday are chain facilities from Genesis (11), Icare (11), RegalCare (7), and Autumn Lake (4).”

Autumn Lake in New Britain is among those that the union said received strike notices.

“It’s time for nursing home bosses and state leaders to pay these workers what they deserve,” Baril added. “The majority women workforce that provides care in these nursing homes and the people who depend on their services are not expecting any less.”

SEIU District 1199 says it, “represents registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, receptionists, dietary aides, housekeeping and laundry staff.”

“More union nursing homes are expected to join the work stoppage,” the union says, “as strike votes continue across other facilities. Currently, 51 union nursing home contracts have expired in Connecticut as of March 15, 2021.”