“The news upset everyone at the facility. Some of us have been here for 20 years or more and wondered what will happen to our jobs,” said Debbie Brode. “Our organizer Terri Tamborello and LTC Coordinator Frank Hornick reassured us that SEIU District 1199 would stand behind us and to stay strong.” Blue Ridge is still for sale and Debbie thinks something is up as she keeps seeing new people in the building. So far, the management team is not talking.
Strength in numbers and staying strong was part of the reason Debbie, the Grievance Chair and a certified nursing assistant at Blue Ridge, joined SEIU District 1199. Blue Ridge Care & Rehab Center was not unionized prior to 2005. “I joined the union because our employer treated us badly. We had no benefits and were overworked. We needed a support system,” Debbie recalled. In 2005, workers at Blue Ridge had the opportunity to organize and unionize. An overwhelming 94 percent of the employees at Blue Ridge signed pledge cards to unionize. About 10 days later, management accepted SEIU District 1199 and the final contract went into effect in February 2006. “Because of strength in numbers, our employer signed and accepted SEIU District 1199 in record time,” said Debbie.
Staying strong and strength in numbers yielded concrete results related Debbie, who served on the negotiating committee. From absolutely no benefits, workers at Blue Ridge Care & Rehab Center received $1 per hour weekend and shift differential, eight paid holidays, an across-the-board pay raise, and a firm schedule for wage increases. Additionally, pay checks are issued weekly, rather than every two weeks. “We now have a defense against all the wrongs that management tries to pull on us. We have SEIU District 1199 behind us if we need them,” emphasized Debbie.
Benefits and a solid contract isn’t where it ends. Employees at Blue Ridge Care & Rehab believe in strength in numbers and keeping strong with an Employee of the Month program, started and funded in 2006 by E-Board member Wayne Fordham. Delegates keep the program going by holding fundraisers and the Employee of the Month is elected by peers. “The last Friday of every month, all union members vote for their choice for Employee of the Month. You submit the person who you feel deserves this honor. The delegates count the vote and the winner gets an award certificate and a $30 prize,” explains Debbie.
This active chapter also sponsors a cook book fundraiser organized by Member Connector Barbara Long. Like the meals you can make from its recipes, the 89-page cookbook was started from scratch. More than 200 recipes were collected from members and a photo of residents is on the inside cover, along with a dedication to past residents and staff. Proceeds go to the Employee of the Month fund and last year’s summer picnic.
Strength in numbers comes from working and playing together. That keeps the union commitment alive. Last summer's picnic developed on the trip home from a Long Term Care Conference. Debbie and several others talked about a way to bring Wayne Fordham’s idea of a picnic to life. Funding for the picnic was main a concern, overcome when Member Connectors and delegates decided to all bring something to the picnic and subsidize the event with the cook book proceeds. The family-oriented outing included a visit from Sponge Bob, a local country band and lots of family games such as bobbing for apples. Prizes were awarded. The picnic lasted all day so every shift could attend, even if people had to work.