Nursing home workers hit picket line in McMurray
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Tammy Dixon and other nursing home workers wave their signs at vehicles as they picket Tuesday.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Arlene Hartley and other nursing home workers from North Strabane Rehabilitation and Wellness Center wave their signs at vehicles as they picket at Washington Road and McClelland Road Tuesday.
McMURRAY – About two dozen unionized employees of a McMurray nursing home staged an informational picket Tuesday along Route 19 at the intersection with Galley Road as they seek a new contract.
The workers, employees of North Strabane Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, which is based off Galley Road, are members of SEIU Healthcare. They held signs that read “Patients Before Profits,” and “Quality Care = Quality Jobs.”
Erin Troutman, a licensed practical nurse who is the union’s chapter president, and Christine Provance, a certified nursing assistant, serve on the union’s negotiating team. They said Tuesday union members have been working without a contract since Sept. 18, when current owner Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services completed its purchase of North Strabane Rehab and a facility in Cheswick from previous owner Consulate Healthcare.
“We want better staffing for our residents,” Provance said, adding other issues include better wages and benefits.
A pamphlet being distributed on the picket line Tuesday said since it took over, Comprehensive Healthcare “wants to reduce our wages, eliminate training opportunities and make our health care so expensive we cannot afford to use it.”
The women said there have been six bargaining sessions since September, with another scheduled for 10 a.m. today.
They said the McMurray facility has 62 beds, as well as a personal care home.
Provance said SEIU employees at the Cheswick site have been negotiating with workers from the North Strabane facility.
Those represented by SEIU work as LPNs, CNAs and in dietary, housekeeping, laundry, activities and maintenance. Also represented are a receptionist and van drivers.
Troutman and Provance said there are about 25 unionized workers at the local building, but about 15 positions have been lost since the facility changed ownership.
Comprehensive Healthcare CEO Sam Halper did not return a call Tuesday afternoon seeking a comment on negotiations.