[cougarnurse]

Caregivers at Eight Bay Area Nursing Homes Stage Two Day Walkout


FREMONT (KRON) -- A labor dispute has picket lines forming in front of eight Bay Area nursing homes for the next two days.

Members of the SEIU United Healthcare Workers say they want a greater voice in the care residents receive at homes in Concord, Fremont, Hayward, Monterey, and Salinas. A Windsor Healthcare spokesman says the dispute is about unreasonable wage demands from the union.

"Windsor forced us out," caregiver Stella Armour told KRON 4's Will Tran, "We want that voice for your family members and our residents."

The union says federal inspectors wrote up 500 safety and health violations at Windsor facilities. Farrell says that number adds up dozens of facilities. He says, "our number is below the state average," when it comes to deficiencies.

The walkout is set to last only two days. The union workers are expected to be back on the job by Friday.