Caregivers at Lexington's Zenith Nursing Home Set to Strike June 30

Caregivers working at Lexington's Zenith Nursing Home voted unanimously to strike on June 30, according to a press release posted by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East on its website . 

Picketing outside of the facility Monday, the caregivers are responding to what they see as compromised working conditions, slashed wages and a decline in the care since Zenish took over in May. 

"Despite repeated attempts at dialogue with the company, Zenith executives have continued to snub workers, community groups, and elected leaders – all of whom have called for a restoral of wages and benefits for caregivers in the wake of the 40 percent to 60 percent pay cuts implemented by the New York firm," reads the release. "Beyond the wage cuts that are driving caregivers deeper into poverty, Zenith hiked the cost of family health insurance to $18,000 per year for low-wage employees while implementing time-off cuts meaning some staff will lose up to 17 days off per year."

Formerly called the Golden LivingCenter, Zenith renamed it Lexington Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation when it took over on May 1. Soon after, it was announced that wages would be cut, reported the Boston Globe. Spokespeople for Zenith told the Globe that the facility was losing money and that wages were not comparable to others across the country.