“My office is fully committed to working with the Legislature and the leadership of SEIU District 1199 to reach a fair resolution of the staffing issues you have raised and to develop a minimum staffing standard.”

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From a press release:

On Thursday, July 30, caregivers at five nursing homes facilities – Charlesgate Nursing Center, Bannister House, Genesis Pawtucket Nursing Center, Hopkins Manor, and Genesis Greenville – agreed to suspend plans to strike on August 5 at the urging of Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, who has pledged to find a solution to Rhode Island’s chronic nursing home staffing crisis.

In a letter submitted on July 30, Governor Raimondo stated, “My office is fully committed to working with the Legislature and the leadership of SEIU District 1199 to reach a fair resolution of the staffing issues you have raised and to develop a minimum staffing standard.” 

“For years, caregivers, seniors and family members have been calling for an end to the deadly status quo in nursing homes and we are glad Governor Raimondo has taken an important step toward ending the short staffing crisis,” said Adanjesus Marin, Lead Organizer for SEIU 1199NE. “The Legislature and state government have the power to fix this tomorrow. Rhode Island nursing home residents deserve 4.1 hours of care a day and we will continue fighting until every resident receives quality care, dignity and respect and every nursing home hero has the staffing and resources she needs.”

Caregivers submitted contract proposals over one year ago that would create safe staffing standards of 4.1 direct-care hours, wage boosts, affordable healthcare and training opportunities. SEIU 1199NE represents approximately 850 healthcare workers in RI nursing home facilities.

See:

• Elected officials and community groups out in support of ready to strike nursing home workers
• Safe staffing bill killed by House leadership; Strike pending at nursing homes and Representative Williams calls out State House racism
• Nursing home caregivers rally at State House for safe staffing and fair pay
• Caregivers vote to strike at three nursing homes for safe staffing and better working conditions
• Demand an end to the lethal status quo in nursing homes

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District 1199 SEIU New England represents 29,000 health care and service workers in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Southeastern Massachusetts. In Rhode Island, 1199 SEIU NE represents over 4,000 members. 1199 SEIU NE is affiliated with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) – a union of over 2 million members across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. SEIU has been a national leader in pushing the growing Fight for $15 and a Union movement.