In case you missed it: Over the past couple of weeks, hundreds of workers in Canada, California and Illinois have voted to join SEIU and have a voice on the job. In New York, workers at five different nursing home facilities have ratified new agreements.
More details about these organizing and bargaining victories below.
CANADA
More than 200 nursing home employees join SEIU Canada
More than 200 workers at Mon Sheong Long Term Care joined SEIU Local 1 Canada at an union certification vote held on November 16, 2010. With the support of their union, Mon Sheong employees can now begin preparing to bargain their first collective agreement with their employer to improve their wages and benefits, as well as the level of respect they receive on the job. "Respect is a big issue at Mon Sheong," added Li. "Employees want to be treated like equals."
CALIFORNIA
LifeHOUSE caregivers join ranks of nearly 200,000 by joining SEIU ULTCW
In October, 28 licensed vocational nurses at LifeHOUSE Parkview Nursing Center voted overwhelmingly to join SEIU ULTCW - in spite of management's attempts to block the election from taking place.
Community Health Workers at Watts Healthcare Corp. Vote to Join SEIU 721
The ballots have all been counted, and a group of 180 community health workers at Watts Healthcare Corp. in South Los Angeles recently voted overwhelmingly to join SEIU Local 721. Stay up-to-date with Local 721 by following them on Twitter here.
"I'm excited that we chose to join SEIU 721," said Shelley Butler, LVN, an OB-GYN with Watts Healthcare Corp. "This vote will make us stronger and get us ready to embrace the future. Way to go WHCC!"
NEW YORK
1199SEIU Members At Amherst Nursing Home Ratify New Contract
Union members at the Center for Extended Care Amherst ratified a new 3-year agreement at the facility recently, which will provide a 2.5% wage increase retroactive to October 1 and will implement 2.5 percent increases on October 1 of 2011 and 2012.
Justice (and a raise!) for Omni Nursing home workers
Omni nursing home caregivers at four facilities are celebrating a big contract victory, following nearly three years of working without a contract. The Omni workers' new contract includes salary increases of up to 20%, as well as improvements in working conditions and benefits. "This victory sends a message that 1199 is serious about quality of life for everyone, not just the rich," said Patsy Allen from the New Vista Nursing Home in Newark. "We are the union and we are strong!"
ILLINOIS
SEIU Local 73 Adds New Members from University of Illinois at Chicago
After nearly two years of organizing and maintaining support, 343 new members will join the ranks of SEIU Local 73's Union family with the addition of the Civil Service Professionals at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
