Healthcare workers protest Emerson NJ

 More than 40 healthcare workers marched outside the Emerson Health Care Center Monday afternoon, demanding a new contract from the 155-bed facility’s administration.

DAVID BERGELAND / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Members of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East picket outside the center Monday.

Carrying signs reading “Settle The Contract” and “Living Wage Now” and chanting “Be fair to those who care,” the certified nursing assistants, dietitians, and housekeepers — who say they have been working at the Emerson Health Care Center contract-free for more than a year — marched for several hours, petitioning the home for wage and benefit increases.
“These workers have been in and out of 13 months of negotiations,” said Milly Silva, executive vice president of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the union representing the demonstrating workers. “They want a fair wage increase. These workers take care of sick people and only want to be able to take care of their families.”
A spokesperson said the Emerson Health Care Center had no comment on the protest or the worker’s demands.
The crowd attracted support from Assemblywoman Connie Wagner, who represents the 38th legislative district. Wagner greeted the crowd along with her running mate, Maywood Mayor Timothy Eustace.
“You are not asking for much,” Wagner told the crowd. Moments later, Eustace addressed the crowd: “No one should have to work a year without a contract.”
Silva said the wage increase being sought in the new contract amounts to less than 10 cents an hour. The workers’ previous contract expired in August 2010.
Elaine Marshall of Paterson, one of Monday’s protestors and a certified nursing assistant at the EmersonHealth Care Center, said the workers cannot afford a cut to their medical benefits.
 “In our working environment, you need health insurance because you get sick a lot,” Marshall said. “It’s a total insult [that a new contract hasn’t been signed].”