Frustrated by stalled union contract talks with industry giants Seacrest and Delta, caregivers will join hundreds of nursing home workers in a simultaneous statewide picket on Monday, September 28 from 2:00 – 4:3o pm in West Palm Beach, Orlando and Venice.

Florida’s nursing home workers were instrumental in winning funding for the Quality Assessment Program, a rare bright spot in Florida’s budget. The program’s purpose is to enable the nursing home industry to fully comply with increased staffing requirements. The program was supposed to ensure that those who care for Florida’s most vulnerable populations are given the resources they need to provide these important services.

For three months, nursing home industry giants Delta and Seacrest, the two largest nursing home companies in Florida, have blocked caregivers’ efforts to negotiate for affordable healthcare coverage and other basic needs. Caregivers are requesting that the Florida Legislature require the industry giants, who are refusing to negotiate fairly, to disclose how funding for the Quality Assessment Program is being applied or rescind this program.

WHO:             100 Caregivers healthcare workers from area hospitals, community members, elected officials

WHAT:          Informational picket and demonstration

WHEN:          Monday, September 28, 2009, 2:00 - 4:30 PM

VISUALS:      Local nursing home workers and healthcare reform supporters rallying, holding picket signs, home made signs and wearing purple.