360 Nursing Home Workers at San Francisco’s Jewish Home for the Aged Approve New Contract
Workers’ unity and assistance from Senator Barbara Boxer results in retention of fully-paid health care for employees and their dependents
On Saturday, February 19th, caregivers at the Jewish Home for the Aged in San Francisco ratified a new contract that will preserve fully-paid health coverage for employees and their dependents, and guarantees a 5% raise for staff over the course of the contract.
“Thanks to the perseverance, strength and unity of the Jewish Home workers and the invaluable assistance from Senator Boxer, we have a contract settlement that preserves job standards and will ensure continued high-quality resident care,” said SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West President Sal Rosselli.
The Jewish Home for the Aged is one of the premier nursing home facilities in the Bay Area, in large part because of a dedicated, veteran staff of caregivers who have committed their lives to providing top quality care to the residents. The Jewish Home staff held a one-day strike on November 22 in an effort to protect health care coverage for themselves and their dependents. Workers received substantial support from family members of residents and other local community leaders throughout the negotiations process.
On the eve of a five-day-strike threat slated to occur over the Christmas holidays, Senator Barbara Boxer intervened and helped mediate the final settlement.
“I am so pleased that both sides came together so that the care of the most vulnerable residents of the Jewish Home will not be disrupted,” said Senator Barbara Boxer.
The licensed vocational nurses, certified nursing assistants, dietary aides, housekeepers, porters, drivers and other caregivers at the facility, many of whom have served the residents for over 20 years, are happy to have reached a contract settlement with management, and look forward to continuing to provide top quality care for their residents.
“I’ve worked at the Jewish Home for 23 years now,” said licensed vocational nurse Ruth Segarra. “I’m proud that after nine months of considerable effort, the unity amongst our staff resulted in achieving our goal of maintaining fully-paid health coverage. My co-workers and I are extremely grateful to Senator Boxer, her staff, the San Francisco Labor Council, senior advocates and the Jewish Home Family and Residents’ Council, all of whom provided considerable support to us during negotiations. I believe this new contract will encourage our dedicated caregivers to continue their hard work at the Jewish Home, and that residents will continue to benefit from high quality care and low staff turnover. ”
