About 60 union members, community members and workers at Richfield Health Center rallied Wednesday in front of the Portland Ave. nursing home, where workers will vote Friday to say yes or no to union representation by SEIU Local 113.
"We really need a union because we need some respect and some say in the running of the nursing home," said Chris Omare, a nursing assistant and six-year employee at Richfield Health Center.
He added, "We work in the health care industry and we can't afford health insurance."
"We've been clamoring for a system where we can have a say about what is happening to the workers," said Steve Nwaiwu, a trained medical assistant and a four-year employee at Richfield Health Center. "Whatever they give us is what we take."
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| About 60 union members and community supporters rallied Wednesday afternoon in front of Richfield Health Center, where workers will vote Friday to say yes or no to union representation by SEIU Local 113. Minneapolis Labor Review photo |
Like many of their co-workers, Omare and Nwaiwu are immigrants; Omare came to the United States from Kenya seven years ago while Nwaiwu immigrated from Nigeria six years ago.
Omare said 62 workers are eligible to vote in the election. The Richfield Health Center can house up to 120 residents, he said.
The Richfield Health Center is one of 11 health facilities in Minnesota operated by Extendicare. Workers at six of the 11 Extendicare homes are organized, represented by either SEIU Local 113 or UFCW Local 653.
Extendicare operates in 12 states in the U.S. and in four Canadian provinces. The company reported fourth quarter net earnings rose from $16.9 million in 2003 to $58.0 million in 2004, according to the company website.
The rally drew Minneapolis mayoral candidates R.T. Rybak and Peter McLaughlin.
"Look around -- this is the workforce of the 21st century," said McLaughlin, who currently is a Hennepin County Commissioner. "The work you are doing here today is about building the workforce of the 21st century."
"I salute you in what you're doing," he said. "I urge all the workers here to see your future in this vote . . . and to vote yes."
"I know it takes guts," Rybak said to SEIU supporter Nwaiwu.
"I'm slightly out of my turf but a lot of these people are residents of my city," said Rybak, the incumbent Minneapolis mayor. "I?m here to say how they vote is up to them but it's the American way to have the choice to vote for a union."
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| Two Richfield Health Center workers who back organizing a union addressed the rally. Chris Omare (left), nursing assistant, is a six-year employee. Steve Nwaiwu, trained medical assistant, is a four-year employee. Minnepolis Labor Review photo |
Steve Share edits the Minneapolis Labor Review, the official publication of the Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council. E-mail him at laborreview@mplscluc.com or visit the CLUC's website, www.minneapolisunions.org
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About 60 union members, community members and workers at Richfield Health Center rallied Wednesday in front of the Portland Ave. nursing home, where workers will vote Friday to say yes or no to union representation by SEIU Local 113.
“We really need a union because we need some respect and some say in the running of the nursing home,” said Chris Omare, a nursing assistant and six-year employee at Richfield Health Center.
He added, “We work in the health care industry and we can’t afford health insurance.”
“We’ve been clamoring for a system where we can have a say about what is happening to the workers,” said Steve Nwaiwu, a trained medical assistant and a four-year employee at Richfield Health Center. “Whatever they give us is what we take.”
|
| About 60 union members and community supporters rallied Wednesday afternoon in front of Richfield Health Center, where workers will vote Friday to say yes or no to union representation by SEIU Local 113.
Minneapolis Labor Review photo |
Like many of their co-workers, Omare and Nwaiwu are immigrants; Omare came to the United States from Kenya seven years ago while Nwaiwu immigrated from Nigeria six years ago.
Omare said 62 workers are eligible to vote in the election. The Richfield Health Center can house up to 120 residents, he said.
The Richfield Health Center is one of 11 health facilities in Minnesota operated by Extendicare. Workers at six of the 11 Extendicare homes are organized, represented by either SEIU Local 113 or UFCW Local 653.
Extendicare operates in 12 states in the U.S. and in four Canadian provinces. The company reported fourth quarter net earnings rose from $16.9 million in 2003 to $58.0 million in 2004, according to the company website.
The rally drew Minneapolis mayoral candidates R.T. Rybak and Peter McLaughlin.
“Look around — this is the workforce of the 21st century,” said McLaughlin, who currently is a Hennepin County Commissioner. “The work you are doing here today is about building the workforce of the 21st century.”
“I salute you in what you’re doing,” he said. “I urge all the workers here to see your future in this vote . . . and to vote yes.”
“I know it takes guts,” Rybak said to SEIU supporter Nwaiwu.
“I’m slightly out of my turf but a lot of these people are residents of my city,” said Rybak, the incumbent Minneapolis mayor. “I?m here to say how they vote is up to them but it’s the American way to have the choice to vote for a union.”
|
| Two Richfield Health Center workers who back organizing a union addressed the rally. Chris Omare (left), nursing assistant, is a six-year employee. Steve Nwaiwu, trained medical assistant, is a four-year employee.
Minnepolis Labor Review photo |
Steve Share edits the Minneapolis Labor Review, the official publication of the Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council. E-mail him at laborreview@mplscluc.com or visit the CLUC’s website, www.minneapolisunions.org