Battered by the pandemic, low-paid workers and cash-strapped nursing homes ask state for help
SEIU 1199 new England
Posted inHealth
At Norwich nursing home, union asks whether COVID testing delays played a role
One outstanding question in the nursing home outbreak is whether workers tested for COVID-19 were properly notified of their results.
Posted inHealth, Money
Nursing home workers set May 1 strike deadline
Workers at state nursing homes want the legislature to budget an estimated $40 million for raises.
Posted inMoney
Senate approves raises to avert group home strikes
The Senate gave final approval Saturday to pay hikes designed to head off a strike Monday by 2,500 unionized care providers for the disabled. The Senate vote also means many of those who care for Connecticut’s intellectually and developmentally disabled will be getting their first raise in a decade or longer.
Posted inHealth
To avert a strike, House boosts money for care of the disabled
The House Wednesday passed a bill aimed at heading off a strike scheduled for Monday by about 2,500 union members who take care of the disabled. The employees work for private agencies in group homes and day programs that receive state Medicaid funding. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Posted inHealth
Workers who care for disabled vote to strike May 7
The employees work for private agencies in group homes and day programs that receive state funding, with the majority of that coming from the state Department of Developmental Services. The strike vote is aimed at prodding the legislature to increase funding for these programs.
Posted inHealth, Money, Politics
Union president: Workers have postponed strike — for now
David Pickus, president of SEIU 1199 New England, appreciates the value of the care provided to the disabled by thousands of Connecticut workers. But he’s not sure state legislators do. He’ll be finding out in a few days, he says, when he meets with state officials to determine whether they can come to wage and program funding terms that will avert a strike tentatively scheduled for next month.
Posted inHealth
Home-care contract wins bipartisan support ahead of vote
A bipartisan coalition of Connecticut lawmakers and the governor voiced support Tuesday for a proposed contract that will raise wages, provide workers’ compensation and increase training programs for about 8,500 home-care workers. The House and Senate are scheduled to vote on the contract Wednesday.
Posted inMoney
Union ad: Stop favoring the wealthy in CT budget
Connecticut’s largest healthcare workers’ union launched a new online ad Friday charging state officials with favoring the wealthy and urging higher taxes on capital gains in the next state budget.
Posted inHealth
Healthcare union ad protests ongoing state layoffs
The state’s largest healthcare workers’ union launched a new online ad Monday to protest the latest layoffs ordered by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.