Employees at four Southern California nursing homes who claim they’re chronically understaffed have authorized their bargaining team to call a strike if conditions don’t improve.
The 325 workers, represented by SEIU Local 2015, work at Vernon Healthcare Center in Los Angeles, Norwalk Skilled Nursing and Wellness Centre, Montrose Springs Skilled Nursing and Wellness Center and Gardenview Skilled Nursing and Healthcare Centre in Claremont.
The facilities are owned by Brius Healthcare and operated by Rockport Healthcare Services. Neither company could be reached for comment Tuesday.
The workers are demanding an end to skyrocketing turnover and are calling for safer staffing levels to ensure adequate resident care.
They’re also seeking higher wages and improved benefits. Certified nursing assistants at the nursing homes average $19 hourly, the union said, while non-nursing personnel earn minimum wage or slightly more.
They’re seeking a 5% cost-of-living raise over the life of their three-year contract, with additional pay increases based on seniority. They also want healthcare coverage that’s more affordable. Only 10% of the union members participate in the current plan because it’s so costly, union officials said.
“This strike vote sends a strong message that we urgently need to invest in our frontline caregivers and those they care for,” SEIU President Arnulfo De La Cruz said recently when employees picketed some of the nursing homes.
De La Cruz said the caregivers have served and protected residents throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond but are caring for more residents than they can safely handle.
“They often work double shifts, sometimes exceeding 16 hours,” he said. “At times they are denied sick days.”
Brius and Rockport operate 77 nursing homes statewide. SEIU Local 2015 represents about 4,000 workers at 28 of the facilities, including 16 in Los Angeles County. Some of the LA County labor contracts expired last year,…
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