MIAMI, FL – Caregivers, many of whom helped raise standards in nursing homes this year by winning funding for the industry, will hold an informational picket on Thursday, December 10, 2009, 3:00 - 5:00 PM at Unity Health and Rehab Center, 1404 NW 22nd Street, Miami.
Florida’s nursing home workers were instrumental in winning funding for the Quality Assessment Program, yet the industry is refusing to pay living wages for their lifesaving work.
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.
Nursing home workers from 50 facilities, represented by the Service Employees International Union Healthcare Florida, have been negotiating new contracts statewide with nursing home giants, Seacrest, Greystone and Delta, since July, 2009.
The informational picket is the seventh time nursing home workers have picketed outside a nursing home facility for fair contracts this year. Other pickets have taken place in Tampa, Venice, Orlando, and Hollywood, Florida.
WHO: Caregivers from Unity Health and Rehab Center, healthcare workers from area hospitals, community members, elected officials
WHAT: Informational picket and demonstration
WHERE: Unity Health and Rehab Center, 1404 NW 22nd Street, Miami
WHEN: Thursday, December 12, 2009, 3:00 - 5:00 PM
VISUALS: Local nursing home workers and healthcare reform supporters rallying, holding picket signs, home made signs and wearing purple, their union color.
BACKGROUND:
Florida’s nursing home industry approached caregivers to help them win funding for the Quality Assessment Program. The successful partnership secured a rare bright spot in Florida’s budget and the state was allowed to draw down federal dollars in order 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 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.