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Pickets at Alameda Center

Nursing Home Workers Picket in 

Perth Amboy as Employer Seeks to 

Drastically Cut Job Standards

Alameda Center On Trial for Unfair Labor Practices as 

Healthcare Workers Protest Proposed Cuts to Wages and Benefits

Alameda Center Pickets

Press Release

Perth Amboy – Nursing home workers at Alameda Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Perth Amboy will hold an informational picket tomorrow, Thursday April 20.  The caregivers, who are members of 1199SEIU, will protest management’s proposals to drastically undermine jobs at the facility by requiring new employees to pay hundreds of dollars a month for family health insurance, reduce starting wages by more than $1 an hour, and make significant cuts to time off benefits.  Management at the for-profit facility is also seeking to eliminate training and education benefits for all workers.  The majority of current employees earn less than $13.50 an hour.

“It’s not right for new employees coming in and it’s certainly not good for our residents if management makes jobs at Alameda worse,” said Diane Speckman, a certified nursing assistant with 30 years of service at the facility.  “Our residents depend on having caregivers who they grow to know and trust, but if the jobs aren’t good and workers can’t support their families, they’re not going to stay.”

Workers will also be picketing to protest unfair labor practices.  Last summer, 1199SEIU filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) after employees reported that Alameda Center had failed to make any of the required contributions to the nurses’ retirement plan, and unilaterally quadrupled health insurance co-payments for staff in the laundry department.

In addition, the employer has unlawfully refused to meet with the union to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement for the licensed practical nurses (LPNs).  The facility has yet to remedy these issues, and after a thorough investigation the NLRB decided to formally charge Alameda with refusal to bargain in good faith.  A trail began on March 28 and is currently underway.

“It is disgraceful how Alameda Center continues to violate the law and neglect the needs of hard-working employees,” said Milly Silva, Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU.  “Skilled caregivers are the number one asset of any nursing home.  We are prepared to do whatever it takes, including going on strike if necessary, to reach an agreement which provides workers with the stability and security they need to deliver the best care possible.”

1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in New Jersey and nationwide. We represent over 16,000 healthcare families in New Jersey and over 400,000 total members throughout New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, Florida, and Washington, D.C.   Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.

Members of 1199SEIU picket in front of Alameda Center on 4/20/17 between 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
*Photos by Katherine Massopust

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