New Jersey health workers threaten to strike

Excerpted from a July 23 press release. For more information, go to 1199 SEIU website at tinyurl.com/neajdrw.

Milly Silva, executive vice president of 1199 SEIU, Jersey City, July 23.Photo: 1199 SEIUMilly Silva, executive vice president of 1199 SEIU, Jersey City, July 23.Photo: 1199 SEIU

Milly Silva, executive vice president of 1199 SEIU, Jersey City, July 23.
Photo: 1199 SEIU

A multinational, multigendered delegation of 1199 Service Employees healthcare workers, including certified nursing assistants, housekeepers, dietary and recreation aides, and licensed practical nurses, held a press conference in the Journal Square area of Jersey City, N.J., on July 23 to announce a possible strike at four New Jersey nursing homes in Union City, Guttenberg, Jersey City and Rochelle.

The 450 union members at these facilities have been working without a contract for the past four months and have filed unfair labor practice charges against Alaris Health, the owner of the four facilities. Alaris is proposing higher health premiums, a reduction in paid sick leave and reductions in other benefits for newly hired workers. Alaris has even failed to provide affordable family health benefits to the caregivers! A majority of caregivers signed petitions authorizing their bargaining committees to call a strike.

Alaris, owned by multimillionaire Avery Eisenreich, averaged $40 million in net profit from 2010-2012, according the most recent Medicaid reports. Eisenreich has announced plans to demolish the nursing home in Guttenberg, which will displace 100 elderly residents and rob workers of their jobs.

Workers World staff

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