Nursing Home Workers To Protest Benefit Cuts At Union Co. Rehab Center

UNION COUNTY, NJ — A group of nursing home workers are planning to picket AristaCare at Delaire in Linden on Wednesday, according to an announcement by United Healthcare Workers East.

The workers, who are part of 199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, will protest cuts to their health insurance and "management’s refusal to recognize a fair contract."

These workers include nurses, housekeepers and dietary workers, according to United Healthcare Workers East. The picket will begin at 3 p.m. at 400 W Stimpson Ave in Linden.

AristaCare at Delaire is a rehabilitation center with a mission to "deliver the highest quality post acute inpatient rehabilitation, memory care and long term care services," according to its website.

According to the healthcare union, AristaCare purchased the Delaire Nursing Home in July 2017 where 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East represents healthcare workers, including certified nursing assistants.

"At that time, AristaCare immediately slashed the workers’ benefits, including healthcare, retirement and sick leave," the union wrote in a statement. "That action prompted our members to strike in 2017, forcing Aristacare to accept a better contract that they otherwise would."

This year, the union grew as the Delaire's cooks, Licensed Practical Nurses, Certified Medical Assistants and recreation workers voted to join 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.

The union claims that Delaire's current contract proposal requires that the healthcare workers pay a new premium for their health insurance. The union also stated that the wage increases that the facility offers are "inadequate and do not keep pace with inflation."

"They have also not put forward any substantive proposal beyond these inadequate wage increases for the new workers who joined the union in hopes of improving their benefits and working conditions," the union stated.

For these reasons, the healthcare workers have decided to hold an informational picket and are "back at the bargaining table with Delaire."

"We want AristaCare to treat our workers with respect and dignity so they can continue to provide essential direct care and support to the residents," the union stated.

People are encouraged to show support for the Delaire caregivers by tweeting the hashtag #befairdelaire and attending the picket Delaire Gardens Assisted Living.

Another group of nursing home employees part of the same union recently picketed Complete Care at Clark, which was formerly Clark Nursing and Rehabilitation Center before it was acquired. Complete Care is the largest operator of nursing homes in New Jersey.

Read more: Nursing Home Workers Plan To Picket Complete Care At Clark

Have a news tip? Email remy.samuels@patch.com.