Soledad, CA – An overwhelming majority of Soledad Community Health Care District workers decided earlier this month to form their union with SEIU Local 2015, the nation’s largest long-term care workers Union. The workers who organized at Soledad are certified nursing assistants, housekeepers, restorative aides, medical assistants, dietary aides, cooks, laundry, dietary aide, and activities aides.
Workers learned Thursday that the Soledad Board of Directors officially recognized their union.
Workers formed their union to address the need for safer staffing standards to ensure that all residents receive the high quality care they deserve. Now that the Board has recognized workers and has certified them, the real work can begin.
The workers at Soledad Health Care District facilities wanted to have their voices heard for quality care for the residents and better working conditions for themselves. They plan to use their upcoming contract negotiations to bring attention to the unsustainable turnover in their facility, which has led to low staffing levels. Workers are burning out trying to balance too many residents with too few employees.
Health facility operators and workers both want to attract new employees to the industry and ensure sufficient staffing. Workers know that without improvements to wages, working conditions, and healthcare benefits, Soledad Community Health District won’t be able to attract and retain the needed workers. Union membership is good for both parties, and now that the board has certified the union, a fruitful partnership can begin
“This isn’t just about the money, but in a way, it is about the money,” says Soledad Health District CNA Barinia Vargas. “There’s too much understaffing. They keep bringing in residents, but there aren’t enough of us. We just won’t be able to get more people in the door if we don’t raise wages here.”
“I am so grateful to my union,” says Soledad Health District CNA Lara Salamanca. “We are moving towards better pay, benefits, and not being so understaffed. We really need changes, and joining SEIU 2015 is the right way to make that possible.”
“We are ready to get to work to improve working conditions,” says SEIU 2015 President Arnulfo De La Cruz. “SEIU 2015 would like to work together with Soledad Health to capture public dollars for the facility and raise quality conditions for the residents. We know that our newest union members at Soledad will work together to address the high turnover and low staffing levels. Soledad’s care recipients deserve quality care.”
Now that their union status has been certified, Soledad Health Care District service workers will ask for a strong contract that includes a livable wage, adequate health coverage, safe staffing and freedom from fear and repercussions. Providing quality service and care to their community’s older population is the priority for Soledad Healthcare District workers and that means a higher investment in the caregiver workforce.