Day 2: Faith Leaders to Join Striking Mado Buena Park Workers to Show Solidarity
By Neal
Religious Leaders to Conduct Prayer Vigil Calling for Justice for Mental Health Facility Workers Facing Unfair Labor Practices and Lack of Access to Affordable Healthcare
CHICAGO, IL—After launching an unfair labor practice strike early yesterday morning, the certified nursing assistants who provide hands-on care to the residents of Mado Buena Park workers are being joined by community faith leaders for a prayer service today at 4:30 p.m.
The workers began their unfair labor practice strike to protest management’s illegal surveillance of union activity and the illegal implementation of management’s last offer in bargaining. Additionally, workers are demanding affordable healthcare and a living wage in line with the standard industry wage for the Chicago area.
Despite management’s claim to offer affordable health coverage, the current employer-offered plan is so unaffordable that only two workers paid into it in recent months–and both dropped the coverage after facing unreasonable out-of-pocket expenses when attempting to use the coverage.
At tonight’s prayer service, workers and faith leaders alike will call upon Mado Buena Park’s owner to cease unfair labor practices and settle a fair contract immediately–one that provides ALL of the facility’s certified nursing assistants with affordable coverage.
For roughly the same cost Mado Buena Park previously paid to cover just two employees, they could have covered the entire certified nursing assistant workforce–and delivered higher-quality healthcare at a much lower cost to its employees. The facility pays its certified nursing assistants wages below the industry standards for the Chicago area, with some workers making just pennies above the minimum wage. These are not workers who can afford either high premiums or high out-of-pocket costs when it comes to healthcare.
WHAT:
Nursing home workers at Mado Buena Park are being joined by faith leaders for a prayer service highlighting workers’ need for affordable health coverage. Faith leaders include Rev. Dr. Janette Wilson with Rainbow PUSH and Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagan-Banks with A Just Harvest.
WHEN:
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
4:30 PM
WHERE:
940 W. Cullom Ave., Chicago, IL 60613
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