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Subject: Weekly Workers Right s Calendar
MASSACHUSETTS JOBS WITH JUSTICE Weekly Workers' Rights Calendar
Monday Apri I 5th, 2004 Check out our website for more information about these events: www. massjwj.net Inclusion in the calendar does not necessarily indicate JWJ endorsement. *****•**************************** * ************~********************~***
If you rea a this ca lendar, take a moment to fill out the Jobs w1th Justice "I'll Be There" pledge on our website, 'MWI. mass1w1 r:et I ***•***************~**** * *********** ** **~ • • • ******** * * * ***** • ** * ****•** *
Calendars will be released on Monday of every week. All submissions for the calendar should be in by Friday at 3:00 PM
Tuesday, Apl'il 6th, 2004 Health Care for Massachusetis Campaign will be holding a Public Hearing on the Health Care Constitutional Amendment Initiative, from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm at Gardner Auditorium, Massachusetts State House. This is a Legislative Hearing Convened by the Joint Committees on Health Care, Insurance, Medicaid, Federal Financial Assistance, and Ways and Means and Lobby Day. For more information , call 617-868-1280 or visit http://www.healthcareformass.org
\\'ednesday, April 7111, 2004 THE sm ANNUAL IMIVIIGR.\NTS' DAY AT THE STATE HOUSE: Gardner Auditorium 9:30-11 :OOam Meet with your representatives and senators from 12:00-3:00pm Advocate for immigrant access to : Health Care Education Worker's Rights Educate your representatives and senators about issues affecting the immigrant community, and build a strong voice for immigrants. Together we will put a human face on the hardworking, taxpaying immigrant community.
Saturday, April lOth, 2004
Nine Year .A.nniversary and Fundraising Dinner ofthe Brazilian Immigrant Center; Nine Years organizing and Empowering Brazilian Immigrants at the Holiday Inn Boston/Somerville 30 Chinese Progessive Association NonProfit Org. 33 Harrison Avenue, 3rd Floor US Postage Boston, Massachusetts 02111 PAID Boston, MA Permit No. 54534
Vote November 5th {; ·ft ·fr {i· "Crisis in the Nursing ·~ 0 t~;. v ··~"· ~ Home Industry" c~~ '\? :g You are invited to attend a ~ ~ ~~ hearing of the Massachusetts t t'~ Workers' Rights Board. i{( ~ ~ %. Come hear the testimony of nursi11g ~ t home workers, seniors, community, and ~ ~: health care advocates, as they talk about ~ g the crisis facing the elderly and their ~ ~ caregivers in Massachusetts. ~ ~ ~ t Tuesday, April13t\ 2004 ~ ·:if~ 12. : 00 PM 4·~ ~} ~ ~· Massachusetts State House Y ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Hearing Room B1. ~ ~ ~ '~' Questions? Want to get more involved?: cW) ~· Boston jobs with)ustice '!? {~ 33 53 Washington St. Boston, l\M OZ 130 Phone: (61 7) 524-8 778 v ~l Contact: Jennifer Doe {!: ·~· ·www.massjwj.net {f ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 0 "- "'- "'- "- "- ~ .2._ fl... A .!". A A fl... /2._ .fL.. .!" .fL.. -" .fl-.. A A fL. A A A P. A £. .l>- .u.. -~ )l.. A ;.. :;;_ 2. a o ..::· \.r ':.u' ·t.:.' 'W' '1,;." 'W' "..t 'lu' 'W" 'W" 'W' v -w v 'W' w 'W' 'iJ v 'W' 'W' V w "W' w 'W' w 'Jr ·~/ -..r w -w• ~W" 'It "W" w "?' v Chinese Progessive Association NonProfit Org. 33 Harrison Avenue, 3rd Floor US Postage Boston, Massachusetts 02111 PAID Boston, MA Permit No. 54534
Vote November 5th Subject: Nu~sing Home Workers Need Your Support ! Chinese Progessive Association NonProfit Org. 33 Harrison Avenue, 3rd Floor US Postage Boston, Massachusetts 02111 PAID Boston, MA Permit No. 54534
Vote November 5th 4nSi2004 3:43 M FP.OM : ,Tcb liith Ju,t>ee ,Job, IIIith Juotice TO: +1 (617) 357-9611 PAGE: 002 (;f 003
Washmgton St- Somerville. To register or co-sponsor: (617) 783-8001- ext. 5 or [email protected]
C ISIS IN THE NURSING HOME INDUSTRY! Join Workers, patients, seniors, and activist as they give testimony on the state of the nursing home industry to the Workers' Rights Board. At 12:00 PM at the Massachusetts State House hearing room B1 . For more information see our website or call Jenn at (617) 524-8778. Please fill out the pledge on our website at Y.NNJ. massjwLnet
S-0-S Health! Rally and Lobby Day! The United We Stand for Public Health and MassHealth Defense coalitions are calling on the legislature to reject the Governor's budget and responsibly fund health care and public health. Join us for a rally and then lobby your legislators! 11 :00 AM. Outside of the State House.
Worcester Health Care Forum The event is co-sponsored by MASS-CARE, Mass Senior Action Committee, National Association of Social Workers, and Mass Nurses Association. At the Worcester Senior Center, 128 Providence St, Worcester, MA 01604, from 1: 00-2:30 PM. Please contact MASS-CARE at masscare@aol. com for more information.
Wednesday, April14, 2004 Health Care Action Committee Meeting. They will be discussing the upcoming bridge march on June 191h.Committee always meets the second Wednesday of the month . 4:00pm a UFCW Local 1445 at 30 Stergis Way, Dedham MA. If you want to suggest other agenda items, please call or email Rand Wilson (617-989-8045 I [email protected]) or Paul Cannon (617-268-6855 I [email protected]).
Tuesday, April 20th, 2004 The next meeting of the Global Justice Coalition will be meeting at 6:00 (location TBA) to discuss May 8th Day of Action and Boston Social Forum Participation. For more information contact Jobs with Justice at 617-524-8778
Tuesday, April 27th, 2004 Jobs with Justice Solidarity Committee Meeting will be taking place from 6:00 PM to 8:00PM at the Jobs with Justice Office at 3353 Washington St in Jamaica Plain. On the Agenda wil l be upcoming campaigns in the Nursing Home Industry and Commercial Cleaning .
Thursday, April 29th, 2004 Chinese Progessive Association NonProfit Org. 33 Harrison Avenue, 3rd Floor US Postage Boston, Massachusetts 02111 PAID Boston, MA Permit No. 54534
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Vote November 5th 4.'U"C04 3 : 4 3 AN l'ROM : Job~ tilth Juot1c• Jabo \11th Juotice TO: +l (617) 357-9611 PAGE : OG3 OF 003
Suds & Solidarity at Doyle's at 6:00PM on Washington St. in Jamaica Plain. Join fellow workers' rights activist for a drink and discussion of local campaigns! Suds and Solidarity is the fourth Thursday of every month . .... Save the Dates.... ae~mMed 2004, ApiillJ-15, Philadelphia: Decision makers from across the health care industry will meet here to discuss trends and celebrate successes in the growing movement to reduce the environmental harms of health care. To register and for full agenda: www.cleru.uned.org.
Union Organizers Wanted !! Boston Training April 23-26 . The AFL-CIO Organizing Institute trains and places committed activists interested in helping workers build power in their workplaces and communities. Get paid to fight the boss and work for justice! ! No union experience required. Must be Willing to travel and/or relocate. Starting pay $28,000 to $35,000, full health benefits. Learn more and apply on line at INWW.organize.aflcio.org or call Seth Anderson-Oberman at 800-848-3021 ext. 5302. Women, People of Color and multi-linguists strongly encouraged to apply!
Solidarity Alert!
SLAP: Tufts Students are asking for community support, especially in the Somerville/Medford area, with a Call-In to Tufts University Vice Presidents John Roberto and Mary Veka to let them Tufts Janitors deserve health benefits, higher wages and more paid sick days. Tell them you're calling to convey your disappointment at the administration's lack of response to a student and faculty petition in support of the janitors that had over 1600 signatures.
617 627 3334 John Roberto VP of Operations
617 627 4220 Mary Jeka, VP of Relations
If the VP isn't available, make sure to ask if you can leave a voicemail. Chinese Progessive Association NonProfit Org. 33 Harrison Avenue, 3rd Floor US Postage Boston, Massachusetts 02111 PAID Boston, MA Permit No. 54534
Vote November 5th "Crisis in the Nursing Home Industry" You are invited to attend a hearing of the Massachusetts Workers' Rights Board. Co111e hear the testi111ony of nursing ho111e workers, seniors, com.m.unity, and health care advocates, as they talk about the crisis facing the elderly and their caregivers in Massachusetts. Tuesday, April 13th, 2004 12:00 PM Massachusetts State House Hearing Room Bl.
Questions? Want to get more involved?: Boston Jobs with Justice 3353 Washington St. Boston, MA 02130 Phone: (617) 524-8778 Contact: Jennifer Doe www .massjwj.net Greater Boston Interfaith Organization Phone: 617-825-5600 • Fax: 617-825-5400 • E-mail: [email protected] Action Meeting Agenda ~~-wnJ 0,:w(_ · May 24 2004 ~ #fort&ble ~ ' (3 ,A~ " )Jk'. l .f1r..-. ~-> r Opening Music I Musique d'Ouverture A Besere Velt (A Better World): Yiddish Community Choir of the Workmen's Circle Roxbury Presbyterian Church Praise and Worship Team
Meeting Chair: Deacon Ron Bell, Greater Love Tabernacle
.I. Call to Order and Opening Prayers I Rappel a l'Ordre et Priere d'Ouverture Bishop Othon Noel, Church o] God of Boston Rabbi Moshe Waldoks, Temple Beth Zion
II. Theological and Political Context I Contexte Theologique et Politique Rev. John Heinemeier, Resurrection Lutheran Church
III. Organizational Rounds and Recognition of Guests Revues des Organisations et Salutations aux Invites \ L..v 0
IV. N urstng. H orne C are I ruttattve . . . I I nztzatzve... des M azsons. deRetrazte · ew-- j Ms. Fran Godine, Temple Israel 1' Ms. Daphne Germain, First Haitian Baptist Church \ Ms. Margareth Arecy, Free Pentecostal Church of God Elected Officials and Administrators / Mandataire Officiels et Administreteurs Ms. Emande Exantus, Boston Missionary Baptist C~ Ms. Barbara Reid and Mr. Jean Alfred Sandaire,~O
V. Organized Money Campaign I Campagne d'Organisation des Fonds Rev. Hunnon Hamilton, Roxbury Presbyterian Church Elder Eddly Benoit, Temple Salem Mr. Bob Smyth, President and CEO of Citizens Bank ofMassachusetts Rev. Burns Stanfield, Fourth Presbyterian Church
VI. Recognition of Rev. John Heinemeier and Rev. Bob Tobin Remerciment au ofReverend. John Heinemeier et Rev. Bob Tobin Rev. David Carl Olson, Communi!) Church of Boston Rev. Hunnon Hamilton, Roxbury Presbyterian Church
VII. Closing Reflection and Prayer I Reflexion et Priere de Cloture Rev. Bob Tobin, Christ Church Cambridge
VIII. Adjourn for Refreshments I Seance Ajoumee pour RafraU:hissement
.· ·... · ~·.. _ - ~-~. .. Overview of Citizen's Bank/ GBIO International Wire Transfer Product
Who I Kz' moun: This wire transfer product would be available to any person who has an account at Citizens Bank AND 1. Banks in a "Community Reinvestment Act" or moderate- income neighborhood throughout Massachusetts (includes certain branches in Allston, Brighton, Brockton, Cambridge, Chelsea, Dorchester, Downtown Boston, East Boston, Everett, Hyde Park, Lynn, Mattapan, Medford, Revere, Somerville) OR 2. Is a member of a GBIO congregation or organization and displays a GBIO authorization letter at any Citizens Bank branch location.
Transfl ap disponib pou tout moun ki gen yon kont nan Citizens Bank EPI . 1. Bank kin an zon ki des!Je "Community Reinvestment Act" karye atrave Massachusetts (pami yo seten branch nan Allston, Brighton, Brockton, Cambridge, Chelsea, Dorchester, Downtown Boston East Boston, Everett, Hyde Park, Lynn, Mattapan, Medford, Revere, S omeroille) OUBYEN 2. Manm kongrega!Jon ou oganiza!Jon GBIO e le ou prezante yon let otoriza!Yon GBIO nan nenpO! ki kote ki gen branch Citizens Bank.
To Where I Kz' kote nou kabab transfere laian: .... ~ u This wire transfer product could be used to send money into an account at any internationally accredited bank in the world, with the exception of the following countries: Balkans, Burma, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, Zimbabwe. The list of accredited banks is available on the internet at www.swift.com/biconline. The money must be transferred into an existing account at the receiving bank, from which that money can be withdrawn. This account-to-account transfer is different than a notify-and pay service or a home delivery service.
Sevis transfer sa-a kapab itilise pou vqye lajan nan nenpot bank ki rekonet entena!Jonalman atrave Iemond, Avek sel eksep!Jon nan pryi: Balkans, Burma, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Lilrya, North Korea, Sudan, Zimbabwe. Lis bank ki rekonetyo disponib sou entenet www.sw£{t.com/biconline. Fok lajan transfere nan yon kont anbank ki ekzjste nan bank kote w'ap vqye li-a kote ou kapab retire lqjan sa-a .. Transfl kont-an-bank a kont-an-bank sa-ali diferan de transfer kote yo notifye-ou ou lryen yo deliver li lakay ou.
How Much I Konbven Kob sa a/J koute: ~ .... Citizens Bank has proposed the following fee structure / Citizens Bank pwopoze fre sa yo: $0-$500 transfer: $10 $500-$1,000 transfer: $20 $1,000 and greater: $30 $0-$500 transfl: $10 $500-$1,000 transfl: $20 $1,000 eplis: $30
How Will It Work I Koman sapwal'fit: Multi-lingual staff at Citizens branch offices in CRA neighborhoods (and certain other branches recommended by GBIO) will be trained to process transfer requests on location. Customers who transfer money more than six times per year can sign up to initiate wire transfers over the phone. A central call center in Rhode Island handles these phone requests.
Staf ki pale pli!Je lang nan branch Citizens branch offices nan karye CRA (ak seten lot branch ke GBIO rekomande)y'ap bayo foma!JOn SOU kijan pou yo transfere fajan nan zon kote yo ye. KJryan ki transfere fajan pfis pase sis jwa nan yon ane ap kapab transfere lajan pa telifOn. Ap gen yon central telefonik nan Rhode Island ki pou resevwa demand telephonic yo. ~~ GBIO Resident and Care Worker Bill of Rights
I HAVE THE RIGHT... AS A RESIDENT ... AS A CARE WORKER ...
To be treated with dignity and respect •By all staff, care workers, and residents. •By supervisors, employers, and residents.
To self-determination •Participating in decisions about my •Participating in care-planning for my medical treatment; patients; •Counting on staff to protect my privacy •Organizing without harassment, coercion, and and honor my confidentiality; intimidation, or threat of retaliation; • Choosing activities that maximize my full • Declining overtime or extra shifts; potential. _•Speaking my own language when I am on break or not in the presence of residents.
To professionalism •Entrusting my care to professional staff • Working as a team with sufficient staff who are trained and evaluated regularly; and supplies to provide the best possible care •Hearing workers speak my own language to all my patients; while caring for me; •Offering and receiving constructive •Receiving regular, compassionate assistance criticism to improve patient care; with bathing, grooming, toileting, eating •Engaging in due process before and other daily activities; being suspended or fired; •Expecting excellent care regardless of my •Receiving and giving care instructions with a Medicaid, Medicare, or private pay status. respectful tone.
To cleanliness •Residing in a clean, sanitary facility; •Being provided with clean, orderly staff •Being provided with supplies for my facilities where my belongings are safe; personal hygiene. •Being informed when residents are sick with a communicable disease.
To security •Being protected from abuse by staff or • Working free of discrimination or sexual other residents; harassment; •Preventing the theft of my personal •Raising concerns about my own belongings. treatment without fear of retaliation; •Making or receiving emergency phone calls at
· · ;' my workplace. ....t Dwa Rezidan ak Travaye Lasante
MWEN GEN DWA ••. KOM REZIDAN ... KOM TRA VAYE LASANTE ...
Pou yo trete m' ak diyite e respe •Pa tout staf, travaye sante, e rezidan. •Pa sipevize, anplwaye, e rezidan.
Pou m' pran desizyon mwen vie •Patisipe nan desizyon sou swen •Patisipe nan planifikasyon swen pasyan medical mwen; mwen; •Konte sou stafyo pou pwoteje vi prive m' •Oganize san ke sote ni menas; one m' ak diyite m'; •Refize travay plis pase le noma! ou ekstra; • Chwazi aktivite ki bon pou mwen. •Pale lang mwen le mwen nan repo depi se pa devan pasyan.
A pwofesyonalis •Met' kontyans mwen nan stafki pwofesyonel; •Travay an ekip ak ase staf e materyel pou •Ki gen bonjan fomasyon e ki evalye mwen ka baypasyan m' yo bon swen; regilyeman; •Bay epi resevwa kritik ki ka pem •Pou m' tande travaye yo pale lang mwen avanse nan amelyore swen pasyan; pandan y'ap pran swen mwen; •Resevwa asistans avek konpasyon •Engaje nan pwosede ki noma! avan yo sispan mwen oubyen revoke mwen; le m'ap benyen, penyen, abiye, manje •Resevwa ou byen ban mwen enstriksyon nan ak lot aktivite kotidyen. yon ton ki banm respe.
A pwopte •Viv nan yon fasilite ki pwop; •Ban mwen yon kote ki gen lod pou afo mwen • Bay materyel ki nesese pou ijyen pesonel an sekirite; mwen. •Fe mwen konnen le rezidan gen maladi ki atrapan pou m' ka pwoteje tet mwen.
A sekirite •Pou m' kont abi nan men staf ou lot rezidan; •Travay san mwen pa arase seksyelman •Anpeche yo vole zare pesonel mwen oubyen san diskriminasyon; •Pale de jan yo trete mwen san mwen pa pepou yo revoke mwen oubyen pou yo nui - mwen. •Fe kout fil ou byen resevwa kout fil telefon le mwen gen yon ijans.
.• GBIO Nursing Home Training
Date: Monday, June 28th Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Location: Church of the Nazarene 600 Washington Street Codman Square, Dorchester
• Training for GBIO leaders who will visit area nursing home administrators to ask them to sign on to the GBIO Resident and Worker Bill of Rights. • Training for nursing home workers on their legal rights in the workplace, conducted by Ms. Cathy Ziehl, Director of the Civil Rights Division for Attorney General Tom Reilly.
Directions: Church of the Nazarene is a big, white, steepled church on the Northeast comer of Cadman Square, on the intersection of Washington Street and Talbot Avenue. Parking is available on-street and in a free public lot on Washington Street.
From Newton/Brookline/JP: Take the Jamaica Way to Forest Hills Circle, and exit onto Morton St. (Rt. 203). Follow Morton Street past Boston State Hospital and take a left onto Harvard St., the first light. Take Harvard St. to Blue Hill Avenue. Take a left onto Blue Hill Avenue, and then an immediate hard right (part of the same intersection) onto Talbot Ave. Follow Talbot to the intersection of Washington Street. Church of the Nazarene is on your left.
From Downtown/South End/Back Bay: Take Tremont Street to Roxbury Crossing, and continue straight onto Columbus Ave. Follow Columbus past Egleston Square to Franklin Park, at which point it becomes Seaver Street. Continue on Seaver Street, throught the light at Blue Hill Avenue, and take the next left onto Columbia Road. Then take a right onto Washinton Street at the first light. Follow Washington St. to the intersection of Talbot Ave. Church of the Nazarene is on your left.
From 1-93: Exit I-93 at Columbia Rd/Umass. Follow Columbia to Edward Everett Square, and take a left to continue on Columbia Rd. Pass through Uphams Comer and continue for another mile until you reach the light at Washington Street. Take a left onto Washington. Follow Washington St. to the intersection of Talbot Ave. Church of the Nazarene is on your left.
From Hyde Park/Milton/Mattapan: Take Blue Hill Avenue north to Talbot Ave. Take a right onto Talbot. Follow Talbot to the intersection of Washington Street. Church of the Nazarene is on your left.
Please call the GBIO offtce at 617-825-5600 to RSVP. Semine Nursing Home GBIO
Dat: Lendi, 28 Jen Le: 7:00-9:00 p.m. nan Lokasyon: Legliz N azareyen 600 Washington Street Codman Square, Dorchester
• Semine pou lide GBI 0 ki pwal vi site administrate nursing home kin an zon yo pou mande yo pou yo andose Bill of Rights pou Rezidan ak Travaye GBIO prezante-a. • Semine pou tavaye nursing home sou dwa legal nan travay yo, pa Madan Cathy Ziehl, Dirkte Divizyon Civil Rights pour Attorney General Tom Reilly.
Direksyon: Leglis Nazareyen se yon gwo legliz blan ki sitiye nan No Ist nan kwen Codman Square, nan kalfou Washington Street ak Talbot Avni. Gen paking ki disponib nan lari-a- e gen paking piblik gratis nan Washington Street.
Si w- ap soti Newton/Brookline/JP: Pran wout Jamaica Way nan direksyon Forest Hills Circle, soti sou Morton St. (Rt. 203). Swiv Morton Street pase Boston State Hospital e pran men goch sou Harvard St., premye limye-a. pran Harvard St. pou tonbe sou Blue Hill Avni. Pran goch sou Blue Hill Avni, epi pran dwat imedyatrnan (nan menm pari kalfou-a) sou Talbot Ave. Swiv Talbot jis ou rive nan kalfou Washington Street. Legliz Nazareyen soul amen goch ou.
Si-w ap soti Downtown/South End/Back Bay: Pran Tremont Street direksyon Roxbury Crossing, epi continye tou dwat sou Columbus Ave. Swiv Columbus kite Egleston Square dirije-ou sou Franklin Park, lap chanje pou li vin Seaver Street. Continye sou Seaver Street, rive nan limye ki sou Blue Hill Ave, epi pran goch ou pou tonbe sou Columbia Road. Vire a dwat sou Washinton Street nan premye limye-a. swiv Washington St. jiska kalfou Talbot Ave. Leglis Nazareyen sou men goch ou.
Si ou sou wout 1-93: Pran Exit I-93 ki Mennen nan Columbia Rd/Umass. Swiv Columbia a Edward Everett Square, epi pran men goch ou pou-w continte sou Columbia Rd. Tavese Upharns Comer epi continye pandan yon mile jiskaske ou jwenn limye ki sou Washington Street. Kenbe goch ou sou Washington. Swiv Washington St. pou-w rive nan kalfou Talbot Ave. Legliz Nazareyen sou goch ou.
Si-w soti Hyde Park/Milton/Mattapan: Pran Blue Hill Avni direksyon Nove Talbot Ave. Vire a dwat pou-w jwenn Talbot. Swiv Talbot pou rive nan kalfou Washington Street. Legliz Nazareyen sou goch ou.
Tanpri rele ofis GBIO nan 617-825-5600 pou resevasyon. .. GBIO Commitment Card I Kat angajman Name/Non: Phone #/Tele.fon #: ______Congregation or Organization /Legliz oui?Jen Oganizasyon: ______Nursing Home (for workers/Pou Travqye): ______
Yes, I will attend the GBIO training on Monday, June 28 from 7-9 pm at Church of the Nazarene in Dorchester (600 Washington Street)! Wi, mwen pwal' asiste semine GBIO a lendi 28 fen soti 7e pou rive 9e pm nan Legliz Nazarryen nan Dorchester (600 Washington St.)! • For nursing home workers: I will become an expert in the rights I deserve under Massachusetts law, and I will become a leader in the campaign to make sure my rights are protected and enforced. Pou Travaye Nursing Home: mwen Awal' tounen yon ekspe nan zafi dwamwen merite anba lalwa Massachusetts, e mwen vie poum' viniyon /ide nan kanptfYia pou mwen asie mwen dwam pwoteje e ranfose. • For allies and families of residents: I will prepare to meet with administrators of area nursing homes to secure their commitment to fair, respectful, dignified treatment of residents and workers as codified in the GBIO "Bill of Rights." Pou a[ye ak fanmi rezidan yo: Mwen pwal' prepare mwen pou mwen rankontre ak administrate Nursing Home kin an zon mwen anpou mwenjwenn asirans nan menyosou ekite, ak respe nan tretman rezjdan ak travtf)'e jan sa mande nan reg/em an sou dwa moun GBIO prezante-a. GBIO Action Meeting Banking S eroices • Nursing Home Care • Housing
Date: Monday, May 24 Time: 7:00-9:00 pm Location: William E. Reed Auditorium Prince Hall Masonic Lodge 24 Washington Street Dorchester, MA (at Grove Hall)
Directions to Willam E. Reed Auditorium at the Prince Hall Masonic Lodge: From Mattapan, Hyde Park, Milton: Take Blue Hill Avenue north towards Dorchester and Roxbury. At Grove Hall, take a right onto Washington Street. Prince Hall Masonic Lodge is immediately on your left. Parking is available in a lot behind the building.
From Roxbury, Dorchester, Central Boston: Take Blue Hill Avenue South towards Milton. At Grove Hall, take a left onto Washington Street. Prince Hall Masonic Lodge is immediately on your left. Parking is available in a lot behind the building.
From Newton. Brookline, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale: Take the Jamaica Way to Forest Hills Circle, and take the third exit onto Franklin Park Road. Travel through Franklin Park, and take a left onto Blue Hill Avenue. Travel for approximately Yz mile, and at Grove Hall, take a right onto Washington Street. Prince Hall Masonic Lodge is immediately on your left. Parking is available in a lot behind the building.
From I-93 North/South: Exit onto Columbia Road, away from Umass/JFK. Follow Columbia to Edward Everett Square, and bear left to continue on Columbia. Pass through Uphams Comer, and continue for approximately one mile to the light at Washington Street. Take a right onto Washington Street. Prince Hall Masonic Lodge is on your right, just prior to Blue Hill Avenue. Parking is available in a lot behind the building.
ByMBTA: From Ruggles Orange Line/Dudley Station: Take #19, #45, or #28 Bus to Grove Hall. From Fields Corner Red Line: Take #19 Bus to Grove Hall From Mattapan Square Red Line: Take #28 Bus to Grove Hall Prince Hall Masonic Lodge is near the intersection of Blue Hill Avenue and Washington Street.
Please call the GBIO at 617·825-5600 with a'!)' questions. f.Af.ji!'ft Chinese Progressive Association 33 Harrison Avenue, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02 111 Tel: (617) 357-4499 Fax: (617) 357-9611 www.cpaboston. org
May 28, 2004
Mark Tobin and William Freid Eastpointe Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center 255 Central Avenue Chelsea, MA
Dear Mr. Tobin and Mr. Freid:
I am writing on behalf of Chinese Progressive Association's Workers Center, a program which helps Chinese workers to learn about and organize for their rights in the workplace.
It has come to our attention that workers at Eastpointe are facing unfair treatment on their job, which includes abnormally low pay, lack of dignity and respect, and unsafe staffing levels. In addition, on May 26, 2004, in the midst of their organizing campaign, six ofthe workers' leadership were fired for allegedly due to a lack of work yet workers testified that the company is short staffed.
We wish to advise you that under the National Labor Relations Act, it is illegal for employers to punish workers who participate in concerted action or interfere with efforts to organize a union.
We are urging you to rehire the six lay-off workers, as we are standing in solidarity with Eastpointe workers in their fight for a safe work environment, better pay, respect and dignity on the job. Otherwise, we will be forced to take further necessary action to secure the rights of these workers.
/ aren Chen Workers Rights Coordinator
for justice, democracy and equality I
J
) .
CITY OF BOSTON IN CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF NURSING HOME . CAREGIVERS IN THE CITY OF BOSTON '· Offered by Council President Michael F. Flaherty and Councilors McDermott, Arroyo, Feeney, Hennigan, & Turner
WHEREAS: The City of Boston is home to more than twenty-eight (28) nursing homes and long-term care facilities that have more than three thousand four-hundred (3,400) beds in the City of Boston and provide direct care for the frailest and most vulnerable residents of our city; AND
WHEREAS: These facilities employ more than three-thousand five-hundred (3,500) people in various capacities including medical, administrative, and custodial; AND
WHEREAS: These facilities are located in Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, West Roxbury, Dorchester, Brighton, East Boston, South Boston, North End, Hyde Park, Mattapan, and Chinatown; AND
WHEREAS: The employees of five of these facilities are unionized while twenty three are not and these six hundred (600) union employees are represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 2020; AND
WHEREAS: The Jack of adequate legal standards for appropriate staffing levels in nursing homes have created unsafe and unhealthy environments for residents and workers alike; AND
WHEREAS: Many nursing home employees are not paid a living wage and often cannot afford to provide for themselves and their families making them the largest segment of the Boston health care industry without health insurance; AND WHEREAS: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has made it illegal for nursing home owners to use taxpayers' money for any activity tha~ discourages members from joining' a union; NOW THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED: That the Boston City Council supports the "Nursing Home Campaign for Dignity & Justice" that calls for safe staffing levels, a living wage, adequate health insurance, compliance with state law's against funding anti-union activities, and against all forms of discrimination in the workplace. ·
Filed In City Council: March 24, 2004 The Massachusetts Workers' Rights Board Hearing on the Crisis in the Nursing Home Industry
The Massachusetts Workers Rights Board was formed as a project ofJobs with Justice to give workers a space to bring their struggle to the community. The Board is made up of over 80 community members, from many different organizations across the state. Panels of this board have been convened for numerous struggles, including those of Boston's Janitors and the Boston Globe employees.
A panel of the Massachusetts Workers Rights' Board came together on April I 3th, 2004 at the Massachusetts State House. Horace Small, Executive Director, Union of Minority Neighborhoods chaired the panel and moderated the questions. Other members of the Massachusetts Workers' Rights Board panel included; Sarah Wunsch, Staff Attorney, ACLU of Massachusetts; Isaac Ben Ezra, President, Mass Senior Action Council; Ali Noorani, Executive Director, Massachusetts Immigrant & RefUgee Advocacy Coalition; Reverend Eugene Adams, Minister Emeritus, Unitarian Universalist of Medford; and Guillermo Quinteros, Executive Director, Commonwealth Coalition;
The panel was called to order to hear testimony from workers, families, and experts on the nursing home industry. There is an increasing awareness that there is a crisis in the nursing home industry that is affecting the quality of care for our most vulnerable members of society. This crisis has been caused by many factors, including the greed of for-profit nursing home corporations and government under-fUnding. 'The financial heath of this industry has increased significantly over the past year," reported Celia W cislo president of SEIU Local2020, "In June of 2003 they {nursing home companies} received a 2% increase, and again in September of 2003, they received a bed tax." Both of these increases resulted in the nursing home industry receiving close to $290 million extra in 2003. There are projections that the companies will receive more according to the testimony of the Ms. W cislo and others. Yet reports were heard from many workers that a common industry practice is to demand wage freezes, decrease staff, and deny benefits which create poor conditions for the staff and residents.
"We love the patients, but we do not love the way we are paid." stated a veteran nursing home worker from the Boston area. Almost all of those that testified stated that the wages they receive are inadequate and below a living wage. One worker reported that the living wage in Boston is $I I an hour, yet she, a five year employee of Coolidge House in Brookline, makes less than the wage earned by city janitors. She went on to state, "You need to work 2 or three jobs to make a living." One worker, who had worked at her nursing home in Springfield for almost thirty years, makes less than $30,000 a year. Most of the workers who testified had worked in their nursing homes for over I 0 years and reported a lack of raises or pay freezes leading to their pay remaining below community wage levels. "It is a struggle between paying our rent and putting food on the table to feed our families." said I 6 year employee of West Park Altimeters in West Roxbury.
A Courtyard Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) from Medford started out by emphasizing how difficult it is for many CNAs to maintain basic benefits such as health insurance. "I want you to understand how hard we had to fight to keep our health insurance ... we had to take a strike vote." He went on to explain, "Non-union workers don't have insurance and their costs are rising . rapidly." Any increase to the cost of insurance causes great hardship to employees in the nursing
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home industry, as the rate of pay is relatively low. Some workers reported spending close to 50% of their pay to keep their family covered by medical insurance. This worker went on to state "Even with a union, it is hard to provide {insurance} for our families." Some workers reported that they are unable to afford the insurance and instead use the state free care system when they need health care.
"It is important that those of us who take our whole lives to care for the elderly have the chance to enjoy our elderly years." according to one CNA. When it comes to providing for retirements, this worker reported on her observations as a 30 year employee of a nursing home in Western MA. She explained that most nursing homes do not offer any form of retirement and pay too little for workers to be able to save. She concluded that, "Nursing home workers are the people taking care of the elderly, yet they will retire on social security alone and live their elder years in poverty."
Workers in this industry report that there is little to no sick, vacation or holiday pay. A Beverly Manor worker spoke about how her home has actively tried to take away sick time. A Worcester CNA from Hermitage Nursing Home spoke about the changes at her home. The sick time policy was changed and required that workers who have worked less than IO years lose pay for the first couple of days they are sick. As a result one workers came to work with the chicken pox rather than lose a days pay. There were other instances where workers go to work with the flu, putting their vulnerable patients at considerable risk.
Many of the workers report that there is a serious issue of staffing levels. One Worcester area CNA reported that she worked on a floor in which the ratio was two CNAs to 60 patients. Other workers reported that their homes have similar staffing issues. Many workers stated their concern that the low staffing levels were affecting patient care. A worker from West Park Altimeters reported that the patients are receiving one shower a week because the workers do not have time to do more. Others report that a corporation, Kindred Care, recognized that the patients were not getting the one on one attention that they needed. Kindred attempted to institute a program to remedy this problem by cutting the paid work week from 40 hours to 37 and asking the workers to volunteer 2 hours a week. This policy cut the time that workers can spend on patents even further, cut workers' pay, and asked workers to do what all of the many consider to be the most fundamental parts of their job on personal time. Celia W cislo reported that there was a bill that would require safe staffing ratios, but that the Massachusetts Extended Care Federation fought it, claiming it would cost the industry $200 million.
The lack of staffing standards contributes to significant health and safety risks, according to Jean Carmel St. Juste of the Massachusetts Coalition on Occupational Safety and Health. He found that workers in the nursing home have a higher injury rate than those in construction. "Nursing Home workers lift over 10,000 pounds a day. They are not dealing with fixed objects, they are dealing with human beings ... " which can be unpredictable and awkward, causing strains and injury. Workers report that safety equipment is often either not available or broken. One woman reported, "After 25 years on the job, I can personally tell you that my back and my joints ache."
Ari Lipman from Greater Boston Interfaith Organization described what he saw as a lack of respect for workers and patients in the nursing home industry. 'There seems to be a culture of disrespect and a standard of treatment of workers which is unbelievable," according to Lipman, "Nursing Assistants are yelled at, not allowed to speak in their own language, are not allowed to
2 take emergency phone calls ... it is bad enough that they are not paid well, that they don't get benefits, they are treated as less than human." One worker reported being yelled at for speaking Creole to her daughter while taking an emergency phone call. She went on to tell of a meeting with her boss where two dogs where given chairs, but nursing home employees left to stand.
Workers did not just report on the lack of dignity for themselves, they also express considerable concern for the patients. An Hermitage Nursing Home worker reported "we do for the patients what their families cannot." This is a common sentiment among the many workers that testified, one going so far as to say that the patients have it worse than the workers. The standard of care suffers when the workers do not have adequate time to give to patients. This was confirmed by John Bennett ofWestern Mass Senior Action Council. His father in law was in what he dubbed "a good nursing home." Yet Bennett expressed frustration with the low staffing ratios and high turnover at this facility. "We would talk to the nurses aids and would get them to understand, (his father- in-laws condition) and the next time we came in there would be a new aid." The same was true of other staff, such as the dietitian. Bennett had to explain dietary restrictions numerous times due to the lack of steady staffmg and high rurnover. "All of a sudden there would be lights flashing and everyone would need help at once and I would go out into the hall and there would be no one to help my father in law".
According to several workers state inspectors do visit these homes, but all of the workers complain that they do not talk to the employees. In addition, they give advance notice so the state does not see what is really taking place in these homes.
Being a senior at home may not give you better c:t::e according to one home health aid. His testimony was translated by Karen Chen of the Chinese Progressive Association. The worker reported that he will work some days a total of 8 hours but only get paid for half of that time. He does not receive pay for his travel time, which can be significant when clients live in several different towns. He also told of not being paid when the clients are not home or away at the doctor. He makes less than the average nursing home worker, $8.90 an hour even though he has worked there for three years. There is no sick time, health insurance, or holidays. He expressed concern that the patients do not receive the best care because home health aides must rush through the tasks because they are only allotted one hour.
"Seniors don't want to go into nursing homes," concluded Board member Isaac Ben Ezra, "I have asked if anyone would rather go into a nursing home rather than stay home and no one raises their · hands. Nursing homes are necessary but I want take a moment to address this issue. It is the same question we talked about, the quality of care for our seniors. This is really a community problem," stated Ben Ezra, "I hope that we can come out of this as a coalition of labor, seniors, and the community because we have to address this issue, we can no longer ignore it."
3 Board Findings We, the Massachusetts Workers' Rights Board are deeply concerned by the crisis in the nursing home industry. This crisis affects all levels of the industry; workers, patients, and families.
We believe that there needs to be governmental action on the issue of staffing ratios. With the record funding increase to the nursing home industry, some of that funding needs to go to making sure that patients get the appropriate care when they need it by increasing staffing ratios. The government needs to look at way in which safe staffing levels can be achieved and industry can be made to comply.
We believe that paying below a living wage hurts not only the workers but the patients too. It is irresponsible not pay people at a level which is below the community standard yet require them to take on almost the entire burden of caring for our elders in nursing homes. The workers that testified should be commended on their compassion in the face of such adversity.
We believe that any worker providing patient care should have a reasonable expectation to receive health care and sick days themselves. The lack of health insurance, high co-pays, and poor health plans need to end. All workers should have reasonable access to doctors and sick time as necessary, not only to protect the worker, but also to prevent the workers from bringing contagious diseases into work.
A worker that is over-worked or sick will not provide the best work, thus pay, vacation, sick time and benefits should measure up to community standards. No worker should have to work two or three jobs to make ends meet. N o ·.vorker shoult:l have to go without a day off for rest or work with an illness.
Those that take care of the elderly should look forward to a decent pension whey they themselves retire.
It is illegal and immoral to discriminate against a person for speaking their native language. Workers should be allowed to converse with each other at break times or on their own time in whatever language the worker feels appropriate. Nursing homes that ban any language but English are practicing racial discrimination which 1s unacceptable and needs to end now.
Lastly, we as a community need to come together to oblige this industry and our government to treat our most vulnerable with the dignity and respect that they deserve. Under-staffing, high tum over, and unsafe conditions hurt them as much as they hurt their caregivers, and it is our commitment that we as a community can not and will not allow this to continue.
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IMPROv'EMENTS IN NURSING HOME STAFFING Since there is no adequate legal standard for stlljfing in our nursing homes the industry is free to providP resident r:are with too few employf!es and that's just what is happming. Often one or two cf!rtifi HIGHER WAGES FOR NURSING HOME WORKERS IT•hile responsible for lhe care ofour family members nursing home workers art! regu!arly paid sub.~tandard 11 ages. A national sh1dy establzrhed that w:1y.few nursing home workers could qfford to rent an apartment in Massachusetts Startmg pay for CNA's rs regularly well below $24.000.00 a year and tlre many other 1wrkers who insure quality heallhcare in our nursing homes-dzeta1y workers, kitchen aides and lawuily workers make much less. 1 AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR NURSING HOME WORKERS A 2003 survey by the A4assachusetts DiviSion ofHealth Care Finance and Poli0ofound that almost aU mo·sing homes ofl~r thezr workers in.sura/ice but almost 50% ofrhe workers go with our it! Among healrlz and human sen,ices employees. nursing home work.!rs, on average are asked to make tlrr: highest conl!'lbutions to their plans, while bemg some of the most poor(v paid \VORKPLACES FREE OF INTIMIDATION AND DISCRTh-1INATlON Nursmg home work.?rs oftmface drscrimination in the workplace because English is nor thairfirst l.mguag~ or because they ask questions about their nghts on the ;ob i11cl!ding therr rights to organize a umon. Massc.cimsetts has now passed a law (Section 681, Ch26 q{rhe Aces of2u03). which makes it illegal for nursing home managzrs lOuse public health care dollars EO mt~1jere in their worken · e_tforts tcfO/m a umonfor a vozce at work. ~We Will Join the Nursing Home Campaign for Dignity and Justice today! Contact Person /4.tretL _ ~_ Email address ---"'~~f.£.!'_@_ _'f'l ~. D~ Phone @___) ?151 - Jl.4.'i 1 Addre s s _ ~6Y\ All'(. 3}£ 9 -z> stru 'M._!!l___12_d--.l I L _.______ Return endorsement to SEIU Loca12020, 21 Fdlows St., Boston, .\ol!\ 02119 Fax: 617-541-6841 Or Jobs With Justice 3353 Washington St.. Jamaica Plain, MA 02 133 Fax: 617-524-8996 Chinese Progessive Association NonProfit Org. 33 Harrison Avenue, 3rd Floor US Postage Boston, Massachusetts 02111 PAID Boston, MA Permit No. 54534 Vote November 5th ... ., .. . "\ ,...... i \ .. )