Nursing home workers rally Wednesday for union

On Wednesday, two days before they are scheduled to vote in a union election, workers at Richfield Health Center will be joined by community supporters for a rally.

The rally will run from 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, outside Richfield Health Center, 7727 Portland Ave. S., Richfield. In addition to workers, Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin and other public officials and community members are expected to attend.

The nursing home workers will vote Friday on whether to join Service Employees International Union Local 113, which represents about 14,000 health care and other workers in Minnesota.

Richfield Health Center employs about 60 health care workers from more than a dozen different countries. “For both native born and immigrant workers, the union election provides a path to the American dream, including better pay, more affordable health care and decent treatment at work for all,” the union said in announcing the rally.

The issues in the organizing campaign are better care for patients and more respect on the job, said Steve Nwaiwu, a trained medical aide.

“I love my job and I am not afraid to make changes for the better,” he said. “We need fair treatment no matter what race or religion we are.”

For more information
Visit the Local 113 website, www.seiu113.com

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