(WWJ) - Multiple certified nursing assistants employed by Ciena Healthcare in Southeast Michigan said they are picketing for multiple reasons, including better working conditions and pay.
About 300 CNAs, represented by SEIU Healthcare of Michigan, are participating in the 24-hour strikes, which started around 6 a.m. Tuesday, at five nursing homes in the area.
“We are sometimes the forefront for these residents,” one picketer told WWJ’s Charlie Langton at Regency at St. Clair Shores. “We are there when they are transitioning, we are hands-on with the family members and we provide a service and we want to be paid for that service.”
According to Langton, the facility he was at hasn’t had a contract since January, though other facilities had been operating without a contract since January of 2024.
An article from WDIV listed Notting Hill of West Bloomfield, Boulevard Temple Care Center, Qualicare Nursing home and The Regency at Chene as the other striking locations.
A statement from Ciena Healthcare’s CEO David Parker said the collective bargaining agreements are all separate from each other.
All five facilities made preparations to continue caring for the residents, the letter said.
“These strikes at this time by SEIU Healthcare of Michigan are unnecessary given that (i) none of the collective bargaining agreements are at an impasses, (ii) two facilities are in the early stages of bargaining, (iii) SEIU Healthcare of Michigan has not been in a hurry to reach new agreements until now (failing to provide dates to bargain and canceling scheduled sessions) and (iv) at each bargaining table, the employer has offered numerous contract enhancements including wage increases for each year of the contract and for years of seniority,” Parker’s statement said. “Simply stated, this strike is diverting attention away from bargaining to resolve the few remaining open issues in each agreement and we look forward to working with the Union to obtain favorable contracts for our employees.”
The letter concluded by said leadership at Ciena Healthcare appreciated the work of all the employees that are members of the collective bargaining units represented by SEIU Healthcare of Michigan to provide care for residents at the facilities.