Fee could prevent strike at care homes (CT nursing homes)

Monday, April 4, 2005
By Trip Jennings

<snip> The push for a speedy budget resolution comes as political leaders hope to avert a series of possible strikes at more than two dozen nursing homes, including one in Waterbury, by passing a proposed fee assessed to the state's 246 nursing homes.

Supporters say the new tax could generate a pool of money that would unlock $120 million in federal money to be re-invested in part, or in full, into the industry, an infusion many believe could help to pay for employee raises and other benefits. <snip>

"They seem to be trying to work with us," said Jerry Brown, executive director of the New England Healthcare Employees Union, District 1199, which represents the nursing home workers. "But so far we are very, very long on rhetoric and short on substance."

Meantime, individual owners have not promised to dedicate a sizable portion of the extra revenue toward employee costs. <snip>

http://www.rep-am.com/story.php?id=19284