"If we don't get it, shut it down!" was one of the chants heard from unionized group home workers as they rallied outside Connecticut's Legislative Office Building on Wednesday.
Tasked with performing fundamental tasks for the state's intellectually or developmentally disabled, members of SEIU 1199 New England plan to strike Friday morning at 6 o'clock.
The union's VP of Community Programs Stephanie Deceus says many members make less than $15 per hour for their vital work.
"These are not minimum wage jobs," says Deceus. "So, we are hoping to get to a pathway to $20, affordable health insurance and a pension, in addition to respect and dignity, having a voice and being heard."
Nursing home workers represented by the same union recently postponed a scheduled strike after negotiations led to a $20/hour minimum wage. A key to that achievement was financial help from the state. The group home workers are calling on Gov. Ned Lamont to once again add state funding to the pot.