Duluth long-term care workers join AFSCME

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_3219

Duluth long-term care workers join AFSCME
7 August 2007
DULUTH - Workers at Edgewood Vista Care Center voted to join AFSCME in an election supervised by the National Labor Relations Board.

The election was held Friday. Now the workers are expressing optimism about negotiating in good faith to ensure justice for workers and quality care for residents of the Hermantown assisted living facility.

"Our work is both physically and emotionally demanding," said Linda Newell, a certified nursing assistant at Edgewood Vista. "In exchange, we deserve to be treated fairly and with respect by our employer. Now that we have a union, we have a united voice to demand better patient care and what workers deserve."


Linda Newell

Edgewood Vista has 153 workers and approximately 150 residents. It is one of 11 long term care facilities in Northeastern Minnesota with workers represented by AFSCME Council 5
.
"Imagine that you need to put your parents in assisted living," said Eric Lehto, organizing director for AFSCME Council 5. "To find quality long term care, ask about staffing ratios, turnover rates, wages and benefits. Union facilities do a better job. Don't expose your parents to a revolving door of caregivers. Shop around for a unionized facility that offers decent wages, benefits and working conditions to retain caregivers who are familiar with your parents' medical, social and emotional needs."

For more information
Visit the AFSCME website, www.afscmemn.org