LAKEPORT, Calif. — Nursing home workers employed at Rocky Point Care Center in Lakeport have opted to form a union.
The group’s will unionize with SEIU Local 2015, the nation’s largest long-term care workers union.
Nearly 80 full-time and part-time CNAs, RNAs, housekeepers, dietary workers, laundry workers, activities assistants, and nursing assistants will have a union for the first time.
“Management at Rocky Point has agreed to recognize their workers’ majority decision to form their union. It’s an exciting time in a new era where employers and workers collaborate to benefit the entire nursing home industry,” said Arnulfo De La Cruz, president of SEIU Local 2015.
SEIU officials said union membership is good for both workers and facilities. A study recently published found that unionized nursing homes had lower worker infection rates and nearly 11% fewer patient deaths from COVID-19.
Both workers and facility operators want to address wages, healthcare benefits, and working conditions, and possess the desire to attract caregivers and ensure safe staffing at all skilled nursing facilities.
“We came together to form our union at Rocky Point to improve quality care and to be treated with equality,” said Patrick Mutua, a CNA at Rocky Point Care Center. “Holiday pay, safe staffing, and remuneration (wages) are important to me, especially right now with growing inflation. The next step for us is a strong contract!”
Workers at Rocky Point Care Center now have a vehicle to use their voices on the job.
Next, they’ll move forward to form a bargaining team and negotiate their first union contract as SEIU 2015 members.
Lakeport nursing home workers form their union with SEIU 2015
- LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
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