InTheRegions Members at Sprain Brook NH in Scarsdale, NY held a candlelight vigil and other actions to win their recent contract. NEW YORK
Unafraid, Sprain Brook NH Workers Walked the Rocky Path to Victory 1199SEIU members at Sprain Brook Manor Rehab Center in Scarsdale, N.Y. on May 26 ratified their first contract. The agreement includes employer-paid health benefits, two raises in a year, significant job protections and the settlement of unfair labor practices with payments of more than a half million dollars. For many Sprain Brook workers, it was the longest journey of their careers to collective victory. More than 10 years ago a group of fired-up nursing home workers, at what was then called Sprain Brook Nursing Home, organized and voted to join 1199. They’ve traveled a rocky road to a contract and ratification vote. During that decade management and ownership changed. There were numerous disciplines and firings without just cause; a stack of National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) charge followed. Members spoke out, presented testimony and eventually federal court issued an injunction against the employer.
1199 Photographer Jim Tynan’s award-winning photo of Future Care Cold Spring stripper/waxer, Terrell Jones.
Still, a collective bargaining agreement felt out of reach. The owners continued to make profit a priority, at the expense of the nursing home’s residents and the workers. Worker turnover increased and short staffing persisted. “Today, voting for a contract seemed more like a dream than anything else,” said Katrina Gjelaj, a housekeeper at Sprain Brook for 15 years. “There were times when people wanted to give up. I knew it wasn’t about what one person could do; we couldn’t win that way, so I put my faith in what we could do as 1199 members, as a union. And here we are now with a contract.” By 2015 Sprain Brook members had enough. They began an aggressive contract campaign, pulled out all the stops, and held a candlelight vigil, an informational picket and a public forum. They spoke with resident families and the local media about the impact below market wages, no health benefits and overall disrespect for workers had on quality care. “The employer knew that 1199
contracts have helped reduce staff turnover and improve care, but they still refused to bargain,” said C.N.A. and 1199 activist Angie McClean. Finally, without resolution on the issues, in March more than 100 of 104 members voted to send a strike notice, if the employer would not begin to bargain seriously. “No one wanted to strike,” said McClean, but we all stood ready to do so in order to settle a contract.” There’s consensus among members that the strike vote was the tipping point in demonstrating their determination to Sprain Brook management; combined with the NLRB findings and public pressure, the boss was compelled to negotiate. Alvin Nicholson has been a dietary aide at Sprain Brook as a dietary aide in 1998. “I got fired twice, once in 2005 and again in 2012, for union activity. So today, I’m overwhelmed with joy and gratitude and hope and feelings I can’t even name,” he says. “It’s two wins for
me, because as part of the agreement, outstanding unfair labor practices were settled–and I’m going to receive back pay for being fired. I keep asking myself, ‘do we really have a contract now?’ A contract means they can’t fire me, or anyone else without just cause anymore.” “The best part is that after being dejected for so long, this contract gives us a legal voice and power—no one can take advantage of us when we together. There is still work to do. We have to make sure our contract is followed and enforced. We want to elect delegates as soon as we can. And we are already thinking about negotiations when the contract expires on September 30, 2017. Many people have been here for decades and would like to be able retire with some dignity, so a guaranteed pension is one of our goals. Others want more education opportunities with the Training Fund,” Katrina Gjelaj said. “I still can’t believe it, but we have our first contract and with that comes endless possibilities.”
1199SEIU’s Media & Communications Recognized With 14 Prizes The Metro NY Labor Communications Council announced April 6 the winners of its annual labor communications contest. Metro gives out the yearly prizes for outstanding achievement in online and print labor communications. This year, 1199SEIU’s work in these areas was recognized with 14 prizes. The awards were presented May 6 at Metro’s annual convention at the American Federation of Musicians, Local 802 in Manhattan. The prizes are as follows: PRINT General Excellence: First Place – Our Life And Times Feature Writing, Historical: First Place – “Before Rosa Parks” by JJ Johnson Feature Writing, Contemporary: Third Place – “Our Issues: Affordable College Tuition” by Patricia Kenney News Writing: First Place – “Ebola: Organize, Protect and Prevent the Next Epidemic” by Patricia Kenney Unique Performance: First Place – “Selma: The Dream Marches On” by Jim Tynan Unique Performance: Second Place – “The Last Word: Alicia Garza & Black Lives Matter: From A Moment to A Movement” by JJ Johnson Photo: First Place. May/June Back Cover of MD/DC Member Terrell Jones. by Jim Tynan Graphic Design: First Place. Nov/Dec Cover “Year Of The Living Wage” 1199SEIU/Maiarelli Studio Work by Rank & File Member: Third Place. “Seven Minutes” by Clova James WEB/ONLINE Online Design: Second Place – Facebook.com – by Regina Heimbruch Social Media: First Place – “Why $15” – by Eunic Ortiz, Erin Mei E-Newsletter: Third Place – “The Ice Bucket Challenge” by Eunic Ortiz, Angel Reyes Tweet: Second Place – “The Ice Bucket Challenge” by Eunic Ortiz, Erin Mei Tweet: Third Place – “Ben & Jerry’s” – by Eunic Ortiz, Erin Mei
May/June 2016 • Our Life And Times
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