Healthcare Union Holds Candlelight Vigil at Putnam Ridge Nursing

1199SEIU healthcare workers at Putnam Ridge Nursing Home held a Candle Light Vigil for Quality Care Dec. 20 hoping that management would begin to pay attention to what they called a critical situation.

Union officials said healthcare workers at Putnam Ridge regularly work short-staffed, which could be undermining the quality and continuity of care for the residents and loved ones who live there.

According to a press release, workers said:

• It's well documented that staff turnover has a significant impact on continuity of care, which nursing home residents depend on. Yet, Putnam Ridge has difficulty retaining staff. Putnam Ridge cannot provide continuity of care to residents, when there is frequent staff turnover.

• One of the reasons workers leave is because Putnam Ridge offers inadequate and unaffordable health benefits. Nursing home workers need good health benefits so that they are not sick when caring for residents, many who have weak immune systems.

• After doing back-breaking work for years, sustaining many injuries, healthcare workers deserve a secure pension when they retire.