**MEDIA ADVISORY**
Nursing home workers of SEIU 2015 speak out against the high turnover, low staffing, and bounced paychecks they’ve endured as employees of Sunnyside Convalescent Hospital.
During attempts to continue negotiations over the weekend, the employer presented an ultimatum to distraught workers: call off your legally-protected strike or we refuse to continue bargaining
WHEN:
Wednesday, September 21st
Main program ⇒ 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Picketing all day ⇒ 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Sunnyside Convalescent Hospital
2939 S Peach Ave, Fresno, CA 93725
WHO:
Nursing home workers at Sunnyside Convalescent Hospital, community supporters, including:
- Central Valley Partnership
- Central Labor Council
- City Council President Nelson Esparza
- City Council Member Luis Chavez
- City Council Member-Elect, Fresno Community College Trustee Annalisa Perea
- Coalición 1 de Mayo
- Dolores Huerta Foundation
- Council Woman Esmeralda Soria
WHAT:
Nursing home workers of SEIU Local 2015—the nation’s largest long-term care union, representing over 400,000 nursing home and home care workers—will speak out at a strike taking place at Sunnyside Convalescent Hospital about the poor working conditions, which have been exacerbated by dangerously low staffing levels and low wages.
Union members are still in active contract negotiations with facility operators, and have been since February. They are anxious to address ongoing unsafe working conditions that affect both residents and staff, including low staffing levels, resulting in a 75% drop in staff in the last year and a half.
While the employer continues to stall at the bargaining table, workers report that more and more of their coworkers are quitting, leaving the few remaining workers to perform all duties, some of which they’re not qualified to perform. To complicate matters, employees report their paychecks are bouncing.
Media interview opportunities will be available on-site with SEIU Local 2015 members and representatives.
Press Contacts:
DKC News
SEIU@dkcnews.com
On Site Contacts:
Terry Carter
805-312-0024
Darwin Godoy
213-422-7265