Workers strike at Windsor nursing home

Apr. 22—WINDSOR — The sun was just coming up this morning as nursing home workers began an indefinite strike against what they say are unfair labor practices at Windsor Health and Rehab Center.

ON STRIKE

On the picket line: Nursing home workers at Windsor Health and Rehab Center went on strike this morning over what they say are unfair labor practices.

Complaints: Striking employees are concerned about low pay, caring for up to 60 patients some shifts, and no access to affordable health insurance.

Timeframe: An official for New England Health Care Employees Union, SEIU 1199, said the workers will be on strike every day until they get a contract.

Eighteen workers from New England Health Care Employees Union, SEIU 1199, were circling the entrance when the strike began at 6 a.m., carrying yellow signs printed with "Solidarity" on them and chanting their complaints about low pay, caring for up to 60 patients some shifts, and no access to affordable health insurance.

Other workers who had to drop their children off at school or day care arrived around 6:20 a.m. and joined the strike.

Fifty workers were expected.

"You're on your own today," union chapter organizer Dawna Bernier said to the striking workers as replacement workers arrived at the facility and waited to drive up to the entrance. "Today, she has a full staff. How does that make you feel?"

Bernier was referring to owner/administrator Lara Alatise, who did not respond the requests for comment Thursday.

During a press conference Thursday, the union announced tentative agreements to avoid strikes with nursing homes Avery Heights, Bloomfield Health Care Center, the Hebrew Home for Health and Rehabilitation, and Mapleview Health and Rehabilitation.

According to union President Rob Baril, no agreement had been made with Windsor Health and Rehab Center.

The union filed unfair labor practices against Windsor Rehab for negotiating with unlicensed nursing staff, and having them work for two to three weeks without wages in exchange for paying for licenses, union spokesperson Pedro Zavas said.

Bernier said the union is required to give 10 days notice of intent to strike, which gave Alatise time to find workers from area health care agencies.

"We don't want the residents of Windsor Health Care and Rehab to be in danger," Bernier said. "That's why it's a very difficult thing for us to do but we can't take care of people if we can't take care of ourselves."

Jesse Martin, vice president for the nursing home division of New England Health Care Employees Union, SEIU 1199, led the strikers in their circular walk in front of the facility's driveway. He said the 50 workers will be on strike every day until they get a contract.

"That's what she thinks of you," he said to the workers as a replacement worker pulled up in her car and a security guard came to help her navigate through the strikers. "That guy probably makes $100 an hour and he has a gun," referring to the guard.

Nursing assistant Yvonne Foster, who has worked at Windsor Health and Rehab for 21 years, said she is earning $17.63 an hour after all those years.

"We're asking for a fair wage," she said. "We sometimes take care of 60 people a day and there's no retirement fund or room to grow here."

Foster said the workers had better working conditions with more staff, raises every four years, and training, albeit under the previous owner.

Ever since 2015 when Alatise took over, Foster said, the working conditions have gotten worse. She said the union had money for training staff but the owner refused to contribute to the fund.

Union nursing home workers have settled more than 60 contracts with nursing home facilities in Connecticut, he said.

"It's time for Windsor Health and Rehab Center to present a contract offer that truly values the Black, Latina, white, men and women who work on the front lines of long-term care," Zavas said.

For more coverage of Somers and Enfield, follow Susan Danseyar on Twitter: @susandanseyar, Facebook: Susan Danseyar, reporter.

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