Edwards works shift at nursing home

NEW YORK - Democratic presidential contender John Edwards toiled on the early shift at the Sarah Neuman Nursing Home in Mamaroneck, a northern suburb of New York, waking patients, serving breakfast and living — for a few hours, anyway — the life of a $14-per-hour health care aide.

Edwards' visit was part of the "Walk a Day in My Shoes" campaign organized by the politically influential Service Employees International Union. In January, SEIU announced it would invite all the 2008 presidential candidates to spend a day on the job with one of its members, most of whom work in hospitals and other health care facilities.

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Edwards, a former North Carolina senator, joined Elaine Ellis, 58, a certified nursing assistant who has worked at the Sarah Neuman home for 18 years. Edwards stopped by Ellis' apartment for breakfast before heading to the nursing home, where they clocked in for the 6:30 a.m. shift.

Ellis, a Democrat who is undecided in the presidential contest, said she believes such work opportunities help illuminate for politicians the challenges facing the health care system and health care workers.

And while she acknowledged the event was a prime photo opportunity for Edwards, who has vigorously courted organized labor throughout his presidential bid, she said his visit will have substantive value, too.

"It shouldn't be just PR," Ellis said. "It should be to educate the people who want to make decisions in the White House about what to do when they talk about health care."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070411/ap_on_el_pr/edwards_labor;_ylt=AhjyEbg6USqX5c8tYDARECHMWM0F