Caregivers at 8 Bay Area Nursing Homes Protest Unsafe Resident Conditions

Salinas, CA and Fresno, CA – Nursing home workers at Windsor Skyline Care Center and Windsor Ridge Care Center will hold a joint demonstration Tuesday asking their employer to make needed improvements in resident safety. In 2006, both of these homes made Windsor owners over $2 million in net profit. The protest will be held simultaneously at eight Bay Area nursing homes operated by Windsor Healthcare.

Since July 2007, more than 360 violations of health and safety regulations were documented at Windsor Healthcare nursing homes through federal surveys. In addition, 58 patient complaints ranging from short-staffing to fire hazards were substantiated by the Department of Health and Human Services during the same time period.

In current contract negotiations, nursing home workers – represented by SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West – have proposed various ways to help ensure quality resident care by reducing staff turn-over and establishing an employee training and education fund. However, bargaining has been unsuccessful so far, because Windsor refuses to adopt their proven solutions to raise standards for resident care. Windsor should be investing in quality of care and their workforce not lining their pockets with profits. UHW has been negotiating for over a year with Windsor for a new labor agreement.

WHAT: Picket for Nursing Home Resident Safety

WHO:  Salinas City Councilmember Sergio Sanchez, Democratic Nominee for California State Assembly Bill Monning, nursing home workers, SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West, and community allies.

WHEN: Tuesday, July 29, 3:30pm

WHERE: Windsor Skyline Care Center, 348 Iris Drive, Salinas, CA 93906