Atwater, CA—Nursing Home workers employed at Anberry Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Atwater, California have chosen to form their union with SEIU Local 2015, the nation’s largest long-term care workers Union. Fifty-four CNAs, housekeepers, dietary staff, and maintenance and laundry workers will have a Union for the first time.
“Employers and workers have collaborated yet again to benefit California’s entire nursing home industry,” said Arnulfo De La Cruz, President of SEIU Local 2015. “Management at Anberry Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has recognized their workers’ majority decision to form their union. This is an exciting time for nursing home workers in our state.”
“Forming our union with SEIU 2015 is a huge victory—not just for my colleagues, our managers, and me—but for our residents, too,” said Rosa Lopez, a CNA and new union member at the facility. “With the power of our union and a voice at the table, my colleagues and I will be able to work with management to make sure nursing home workers like me have the wages and benefits we need to stay in the profession.”
Nursing home operators and the workers who staff these facilities both want to attract caregivers to the industry and ensure safe staffing at all skilled nursing facilities. Issues such as wages, working conditions, and healthcare benefits continue to be important to workers and facility operators. A published study found that unionized nursing homes had lower worker infection rates and nearly 11% fewer patient deaths from Covid-19. Union membership is good for both parties.
Workers at Anberry Nursing and Rehabilitation Center now have an opportunity to use their voices on the job. With the election finalized, they’ll now move forward to form a bargaining team and negotiate their first union contract as SEIU 2015 members.