Day 5: Cedar Haven strike continues, quality of care declines
While questions arise about the quality of care from temporary staff at Cedar Haven Healthcare Center, members of AFSCME Local 2732 continue to strike for a fifth day as the owner of the nursing home has yet to agree to continue negotiations.
Cedar Haven’s certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, maintenance employees, laundry employees, central supply employees, housekeeping staff, clerical employees, beauticians, transport aides, therapeutic recreation staff and restorative aides, are on strike to demand a fair contract after the owner imposed an unacceptable offer on them that would have jacked up their healthcare costs while reducing paid time off.
Kat Steffy, a Cedar Haven resident for over two years, says her and her fellow residents can’t wait until their nurses come back to work.
“There are replacements that are not anywhere near as good as these guys out here (on the picket line). And a lot of the residents are saying the same thing, that they don’t like them because they’re not doing it from their heart. And that’s what we miss in there,” Steffy said.
The strike will continue in front of the nursing home from dawn to dusk, until the owner agrees to continue negotiations. Fellow union members and the general public are encouraged to come out and show their support.
Cedar Haven earned a 100 percent deficiency-free rating from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and is rated among the best facilities in the nation, because of the dedicated nurses and staff who make the nursing home happen. They deserve a fair contract, and will never quit until they get the respect they deserve.