A union representing 300 healthcare workers at Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center announced it reached an agreement with administration last night.
SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania provided management a list of demands yesterday in response to a growing chorus of concerns raised by healthcare workers as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak at the facility. SEIU officials said they were pleased with the negotiations, which resulted in Brighton Rehab accommodating each of the union’s requests.
“I think it is great we’ve made progress,” said Shania Taylor, a Certified Nursing Assistant, who is currently waiting for her COVID-19 test result. “It brings a little peace of mind to all of us. Workers are scared of catching this virus and passing it along to our residents. Now we are going to hold management accountable to working transparently with us to give us what we need to do our jobs, and keep everyone safe, and problem solve together in our fight against this Pandemic.”
SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania President Matthew Yarnell also said he was satisfied by the agreement reached with management.
“We should not have gotten to this point, and it will be a challenge to get the PPE, but we are committed to keeping everyone at Brighton safe,” said Yarnell, who also used the opportunity to take a swipe at the Trump administration.
“We have been failed in this moment by the Trump administration’s slow response and lack of action. This is a clear example of why President Trump must enact the Defense Production Act of 1950 to repurpose manufacturing in the US to produce N95 masks, gowns, gloves, other PPE and ventilators. We’re already way behind where we should be, and that’s inexcusable. But we need to meet this moment where we are.”
Among the provisions agreed to include:
– N95s for every worker on the quarantined unit.
– Face masks and gowns for direct care workers on other units.
– Proper PPE for all employees, and N95s for workers who are immunocompromised or request them for personal health reasons.
– Testing for all employees, done onsite, with 24-hour results.
– Residents who test positive must be isolated.
– No retaliation against workers who have spoken out publicly.
– Appoint high level leadership point person on the ground to work directly with member union leaders (workers) inside the building to ensure transparency and communication.
– Work together to use federal stimulus money to pay for workers’ time who were out for COVID-related issues, so they are not forced to use their own sick days or vacation time.
Hazard pay will also be given to every worker at Brighton Rehab, the details of which are still being worked out.
See Also:
– Brighton Rehab Is “Out Of Control” Claims Nursing Assistant Who Tested Positive For COVID-19
– Brighton Rehab Responds To Ongoing Controversies In Lengthy Statement
An Important Message To Our Readers
BeaverCountian.com’s coverage of the novel coronavirus is being made freely available outside of our normal paywall. We believe the information we are providing is important to all members of our community and should not be limited to just those with financial means.
For those who are able to support our efforts, we would appreciate it if you considered subscribing to gain access to all of our award-winning local reporting. As always, thanks for being a reader of BeaverCountian.com!
Good work! I’m sure the BeaverCountians reporting on this issue helped raise awareness and shine the spotlight necessary to prompt the powers that be to do the right, safe, and fair thing for their community.
Mr. Yarnell should quit whining and get his facts straight. President Trump moved quickly and decisively in the face of this pandemic.
Even the head of the CDC commended him on his efforts.
Typical “gimme gimme” liberal.
Local leadership of SEIU has the experience and knowledge to deal with MGT and get something done. Kudos to your team.
So somehow it is Trumps fault that this facility has failed to provide the appropriate PPE for its employees every day….not just now because there is a pandemic. It’s a shame it took this many people to get sick for the union to step in and finally demand something be done about it. But let’s blame POTUS for our own failures.
The Trump Admin responded early and many told him he was a racist to shut down the country. It’s up to local Hospitals, Nursing Homes,and authorities to prepare. The Rehab is one of the lowest rated Nursing Homes and it’s a shame. All many can do is blame others and never look in the mirror
That’s good but if you not in Union or agency your screwed
I think the union and management should have been working together on preparedness for a long time. Both have not done a good job at that, as have our states and country.
Watch how it will be part of the budget from now on proving both sides did not give it much value to stockpile and replace PPE!