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).

After bravely enduring the strenuous assignment to serve nursing home residents through the Covid-19 pandemic, 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.

“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. It’s time for nursing home bosses and state leaders to pay these workers what they deserve. The majority women workforce that provides care in these nursing homes and the people who depend on their services are not expecting any less,” said Rob Baril, president of District 1199 New England, SEIU. 

Related Media Coverage

• NBC Connecticut
• Hartford Courant
• AP News
• Hartford Business Journal
• WTIC
• Connecticut Mirror
• Fox 61
• WTNH
• CT News Junkie
• Brooklyn News 12
• Greenwich Time
• Westfair Online
• Connecticut Post
• New Haven Register
• McKnight’s Long-Term Care News
• CMM Online

The Union 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 as strike votes continue across other facilities. Currently, 51 union nursing home contracts have expired in Connecticut as of March 15, 2021.

• Related Story from the Hartford Courant: Top Lawmakers say CT can afford nursing home pay hikes to avert planned strikes; workers currently make $12 to $15 per hour

“Nursing home workers are more united than ever. Caring for others and for each other during Covid-19 has opened people’s eyes. We know that our work is too important to keep us in poverty. We deserve to make a living wage. We are human beings. And the people receiving care in nursing homes should be confident that staff is well paid and that there is sufficient staff to look out for them,” said Cambar Edwards from Hartford and CNA at Kimberly Hall North.

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Long-Term Care Workers’ Bill of Rights:
https://act.seiu.org/a/we-demand-justice-for-long-term-care-workers-now

Strike Notices sent to these 33 nursing homes today: