SOLEDAD — An overwhelming majority of Soledad Community Health Care District (SCHCD) workers decided last 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 Aug. 29 that the SCHCD Board of Directors officially recognized their union.
“This isn’t just about the money, but in a way, it is about the money,” said Barinia Vargas, CNA at SCHCD. “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.”
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.
“I am so grateful to my union,” said local 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.”
The workers at Soledad Community 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,” according to a Sept. 1 news release from the union.
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, SCHCD 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,” stated the release.
Now that their union status has been certified, SCHCD service workers will ask for a contract that includes a livable wage, adequate health coverage and safe staffing. Providing quality service and care to their community’s older population is the priority for these workers and that means a higher investment in the caregiver workforce.
“We are ready to get to work to improve working conditions,” said 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.”
