Detroit-Area Nursing Home Workers Stage One-Day Strike Over Contract Disputes
In a bold move for better working conditions, around 300 employees from five nursing homes in the Detroit area initiated a one-day strike. This protest targeted Ciena Healthcare, a prominent operator of nursing homes in Michigan, and was organized by SEIU Healthcare Michigan.
The striking workers, including certified nursing assistants and staff in housekeeping and maintenance, have reportedly been operating without contracts for several months. Larry Alcoff, the union’s chief negotiator, highlighted the ongoing struggles of these employees, stating, “For most of these workers, they’ve been working without pay increases for almost two years.” He further pointed out the significant impact of a 50% turnover rate on both the employees and the residents they care for.
The union is advocating for higher wages for certified nursing assistants and better starting rates for other roles such as cooking and housekeeping. Their list of demands also includes improvements in shift differentials, annual raises, paid sick leave, holidays, and health insurance.
The nursing homes involved in the strike include:
- Boulevard Temple Care Center
2567 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48208 - Notting Hill of West Bloomfield
6535 Drake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, MI 48322 - Qualicare Nursing Home
695 E Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48207 - The Regency at Chene
2295 E Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48207 - Regency at St. Clair Shores
22700 Greater Mack Ave, St Clair Shores, MI 48080
David Parker, CEO of Ciena Healthcare, responded to the strike with a statement ensuring that the facilities remain prepared and continue to deliver quality care. He labeled the strikes as “unnecessary,” arguing that the ongoing negotiations had not reached a deadlock and that Ciena had proposed several contract improvements. “Ciena Healthcare leadership appreciates the work done by all employees who are members of the collective bargaining units represented by SEIU Healthcare of Michigan and provide quality care to our residents on a daily basis,” Parker stated.
The union, however, dismissed Ciena’s claims as misleading, arguing that “claims of early bargaining are simply a lie.” They pointed out that the contracts in question had expired months ago, and Ciena had not agreed to retroactively compensate employees from the contract expiration date.
Alcoff emphasized the financial struggles faced by the workers, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck and juggle multiple jobs to make ends meet. “Siena as the largest and one of the most profitable nursing home corporations in the state can afford to do better. They chose not to,” he asserted.
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