HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio)_ More than 3,400 workers at 33 nursing homes in Connecticut are ready to strike over wages and benefits.
The strike of unionized SEIU 1199 New England nursing home workers will take place at a mix of Genesis, Icare, RegalCare, and Autumn Lake chain facilities. The facilities received strike notifications on Friday that the strike can begin at 6 a.m. on Friday, May 14.
SEIU 1199NE spokesman Pedro Zayas tells WTIC Radio "...talks have broken down [with nursing home operators]...and what the operators are telling workers is that there is no money in the state budget...to fund better wages for these workers."
Zayas says talks could improve with the strike notice. But, if they don't, he predicts other workers at other facilities could join in the strike effort.
The workers have been rallying the last few months outside state officers in Hartford to draw attention to their calls for higher wages, as well as health and retirement benefits.
“Connecticut’s long-term care system relies on poverty wages. By going on strike we are telling nursing home operators and the State of Connecticut that we are not willing to carry the yoke of poverty any longer," says Rob Baril, president of District 1199 New England, SEIU.
The following facilities received strike notices.
Genesis
Kimberly Hall North (Windsor)
Kimberly Hall South (Windsor)
Fox Hill (Vernon)
Harrington Court (Colchester)
Reservoir (West Hartford)
Glendale (Naugatuck)
Arden House (Hamden)
Madison House (Madison)
Meriden Center (Meriden)
Willows (New Haven)
St. Joseph’s Center (Trumbull)
Icare
Chelsea Place (Hartford)
Parkville (Hartford)
Trinity Hill (Hartford)
Touchpoints - Wintonbury (Bloomfield)
Touchpoints - Chestnut (East Windsor)
Fresh River - Kettlebrook (East Windsor)
Touchpoints - Bidwell (Manchester)
Westside (Manchester)
60 West Secure Care (Rocky Hill)
Touchpoints (Farmington)
Silver Springs (Meriden)
RegalCare
Salmon Brook (Glastonbury)
Torrington
Waterbury
New Haven
West Haven
Greenwich
Southport
WTIC has reached out to the Governor's Office for comment.