Hundreds of nursing home workers at three Rhode Island facilities have called for a strike in an effort to secure higher wages, better healthcare benefits and minimum staffing requirements.
Workers at Genesis Pawtucket Nursing Center, Hopkins Manor and Genesis Greenville Center voted to go on strike earlier this week, the SEIU Healthcare District 1199 New England announced. The strike is set for 6 a.m. on July 29 if no agreement is reached between operators and employees by then.
Among the demands, workers want operators to ensure nursing homes provide a daily average of 4.1 hours of direct nursing care per resident. They’re also seeking pay and benefits that would help “lift nursing home heroes out of poverty.”
Adanjesus Marin, lead organization for the union, said in a statement it’s time for nursing home workers to “receive the tools they need” amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
“While we continue to support safe staffing for all Rhode Island nursing home residents, our members have decided that the residents in their nursing homes can’t risk the continued status quo any longer and so they must be willing to strike for the good of the residents,” Marin said.
“Thank you signs just aren’t going to cut it anymore,” he added.
Dozens of Illinois nursing home providers averted a strike at 64 nursing homes in May after they agreed to increase wages by 24% and provide hazard pay for workers during the pandemic. The deal also expanded sick leave for workers and promised fully paid sick days for COVID-19 related testing, illness or quarantine.
