SEIU Faces Lawsuit Over Nursing Home Walk Out in Connecticut

Wanted more pay and benefits

On July 3, after 17 months of negotiation,  Service Employees International Union (SEIU) healthcare workers walked out of five HealthBridge Management nursing homes. The dispute, over salary and pension benefits, has led to a dispute that has the SEIU accused of illegal activity and goes all the way to the office of Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy. Last week they, along with CareOne (companies that own and run nursing homes), filed a federal lawsuit calling the union's campaign against them a shake-down by a lawless enterprise."

As employees walked out, actions were taken which could seriously jeopardize the health and well-being of those under their care. For example, Alzheimers patients had identifying wristbands removed and photos were switched in patient files to make identification difficult.  "The perpetrators took these actions deliberately, with the clear knowledge that they would put residents at severe risk of receiving the wrong medications, improper dosages of medications, or foods they should not eat,"said Lisa Crutchfield, a spokeswoman for HealthBridge.