Apple Valley, California—After months of organizing, nursing home workers at Apple Valley Care Center voted overwhelmingly—94% yes!—to form their union with SEIU 2015, the nation’s largest long-term caregivers union. A total of 93 members of the bargaining unit that included certified nursing assistants, restorative nursing assistants, cooks, activity assistants, and laundry aides, and housekeepers will have a union for the first time. Issues included skyrocketing staff turnover and lack of adequate wages and benefits necessary to attract and retain staff.
“Apple Valley Care Center workers have joined the wave of caregivers across California who are standing together to positively impact the nursing home industry,” said Arnulfo De La Cruz, President of SEIU 2015. “With a voice at the table, these folks will be able to work with management to ensure staff receives the wages necessary to decrease turnover, increase staffing levels, and improve the quality of care at the facility.”
“I feel really, really, great about the victory! We’re finally going to be supported and taken seriously now that we’re a part of SEIU Local 2015. I feel like for the first time, we’ll be treated as human beings at work,” said Jessica Juarez, a CNA at Apple Valley. “I look forward to being able to sit down face to face with management to work on issues together that will improve things for us and our residents.”
“We are underpaid and understaffed,” says Apple Valley CNA Brenda Castaneda. “We need more staffing. The more staff a nursing home has, the better the care we can give to patients. Now we’ll have a voice to address urgent matters that went ignored. Nursing home work is a labor of love. It’s hard work. It’s not the kind of job you can do without a lot of patience and compassion. That’s who this is really about: the people we work to care for. We all look forward to meeting with management at the bargaining table to improve care and jobs at Apple Valley Care Center.”
Workers will now form a bargaining team and negotiate their first contract as members of SEIU 2015.To learn more about SEIU Local 2015 visit www.SEIU2015.org or on social media @SEIU2015.