Strike votes held at some state nursing homes (CT)

[struggle4progress]

HARTFORD, Conn. -- The state's largest health care union took the first steps Tuesday toward a possible strike at 34 nursing homes throughout Connecticut over issues ranging from wages to health care benefits.

Workers at a dozen facilities owned by two chains - Spectrum Healthcare and ICARE Management - began voting on whether to authorize a strike next month. Similar strike authorization votes are scheduled at other homes across the state later this week and next week. <snip>

The union leadership has already set a tentative April 13 strike date for four facilities owned by Spectrum Healthcare, located in Derby, Ansonia, Winsted and Hartford. Another tentative strike date has been set for April 18 for eight ICARE Management homes located in Manchester, Hartford, Farmington, East Windsor, Meriden and Bloomfield, District 1199 spokeswoman Deborah Chernoff.

Chernoff said no substantial progress has been made since the contracts originally expired. Nursing home workers are making different demands at different facilities. Some want better wages while others are seeking better health care coverage, Chernoff said. Meanwhile, at some homes, the union is trying to prevent the owners from depleting training funds or opting out of pension programs. <snip>

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/state/hc-29194951.apds.m0891.bc-ct--nursmar29,0,7876951.story?coll=hc-headlines-local-wire

[chlamor]

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