VIDEO: Clark Rehab Center Caregivers Protest for Contracts

Did you see them? caregivers and other members of 1199SEIU-United Healthcare Workers East formed a picket line outside the facility on Featherbed Lane today. The group is a healthcare workers union that represents employees at 74 nursing homes in New Jersey. Picketers were out clamoring for fair wages and benefits as their contracts are set to expire at the end of this year.

According to Clauvice Saint Hilaire, vice president of the New Jersey branch of 1199, the 1199 workers here have been asked to accept a wage freeze and are uncertain that contract negotiations will be complete come January.

"We have been at the negotiation table five times," said Saint Hilaire. "Management hasn't put any money on the table and all we're asking is pennies to keep up with inflation. We just want to keep our benefits and have fair wages."

Saint Hilaire says the union is still in negotiation on 35 contracts, representing some 4,000 workers throughout the state, and most workers currently make $10 or $11 an hour.

"People who are working to take care of other people should be able to take care of themselves and their family," said Saint Hilaire.

Workers marched up and down the block holding signs with messages like "Living Wage Now!" and "Be Fair to Those Who Care." The group also sang a catchy chant: "We love our residents, yes we do. We take good care of them, you know it's true. When you're not fair to us, we're blue. Oh management, shame on you."

Natasha Eugene, a Rahway resident who has worked at the Clark facility for two years, says she is especially concerned about losing her benefits because she has a child. "I love what I do," said Eugene, "but we need contracts."

Clark Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Administrator Gary Santos had no comment when approached by Patch for an interview.

Union members also formed a picket line in Brick today at the Burnt Tavern Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, which is under the same ownership as the Clark center. They have already held informational pickets in Emerson, Galloway, Wanaque, Linden, Barnegat and Manchester.