Allegations of Retaliation Surface After Nursing Home Workers Strike
In a recent development, Ciena Healthcare, a significant player in the nursing home industry, faces allegations of retaliating against employees who joined a brief strike. The union representing these workers, SEIU Healthcare Michigan, has lodged official complaints, claiming that Ciena responded to the strike with unjust actions, including dismissals.
On May 20, hundreds of employees from various facilities across Metro Detroit took part in a one-day strike after providing proper notice to their employer. Despite this, the union asserts that some workers were terminated and others faced threats of retaliation, were bribed, or even monitored for participating in the strike.
According to an SEIU spokesperson, “Following a properly noticed 24-hour strike, workers were disciplined and, at at least one facility, terminated—some under the pretext of ‘no call, no show’—simply for participating in protected concerted activity.” The spokesperson emphasized that these measures breach Sections 8(a)(1) and 8(a)(3) of the National Labor Relations Act.
Further claims suggest that management misinformed staff about their right to strike, leading to punitive actions against those who participated. The union also alleges that Ciena attempted to dissuade workers from joining the strike by offering considerable cash incentives while simultaneously withholding fair wage increases during negotiations.
In response, Ciena Healthcare’s CEO, David Parker, issued a statement via email, saying, “Ciena Healthcare is a dedicated, longstanding provider of short- and long-term care. We are proud of our relationship with our employees and the communities we serve. We are grateful for the top quality care provided by our employees and look forward to our continued work together in the future.”
The facilities involved in this situation include:
Boulevard Temple Care Center
2567 W Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI, 48208
Notting Hill of West Bloomfield
6535 Drake Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, 48322
Qualicare Nursing Home
695 E Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI, 48207
The Regency at Chene
2295 E Vernor Highway, Detroit, MI, 48207
Regency at St. Clair Shores
22700 Greater Mack Ave., St. Clair Shores, MI, 48080
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