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Published May 13. 2021 8:04PM | Updated May 13. 2021 9:04PM
By SUSAN HAIGH, Associated Press
Unionized nursing home workers on Thursday agreed to postpone planned strikes on Friday at 26 facilities after Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont s administration reached a “basic agreement” with union leaders and nursing homes operators that includes $267 million in state funds to help pay for historic wage increases.
District 1199 New England, SEIU, also announced it has already reached a tentative four-year contract with iCare Health Network, owner of 11 of the homes, that will set a $20 hourly minimum wage for certified nursing assistants and a $30 hourly minimum wage for licensed practiced nurses.
Meanwhile, the union said it has issued new strike notices for the 26 facilities, with roughly 2,800 residents and 2,800 unionized workers, for June 7 to give more time for negotiations on final agreements with iCare, Genesis Healthcare and Autumn Lake Healthcare.
CT nursing home workers postpone planned strikes
By Susan Haigh
Unionized nursing home workers agreed to postpone strikes planned for Friday at 26 facilities across Connecticut after Gov. Ned Lamont s administration reached an agreement with union leaders and nursing homes operators that includes $267 million in state funds to help pay for historic wage increases.
The workers including nurses, nurses aides, housekeeping staff and laundry workers have threatened to walk out over what they call poverty-level wages and dangerously low staffing levels.
Lamont announced during a COVID-19 briefing with reporters Thursday afternoon that his administration had reached a “basic agreement” with the nursing home operators and the union. While the state is not a party to the talks, it plays a crucial role because it provides the bulk of nursing home revenues through Medicaid payments.
Connecticut’s long-term care industry can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Author: Matt Caron Updated: 4:48 PM EST January 26, 2021
HARTFORD, Conn Good news in the battle against COVID. For the second straight week, the infections in the nursing homes have substantially decreased. Now, families are wondering when they’ll be able to hug their loved ones again.
And while it’s the second straight week nursing homes infections have improved it’s also the first week infections in the assisted living facilities have gotten better.
In the battle of a lifetime, Connecticut’s long-term care industry can finally not just hope for but see the light at the end of the tunnel. So, when will visitation restrictions be loosened? As soon as we can, we will start to ease those restrictions, said Deidre Gifford, the interim Commissioner of the state Department of Public Health. We need a little bit more data.