A labor union representing workers at Connecticut nursing homes is renewing a strike threat.
Union officials representing more than 2,000 nursing home workers had walked back a May 1 strike date after Governor Ned Lamont pledged to work with them on raises.
But a proposed budget released by the legislature's Appropriations Committee this week changed the equation, said Pedro Zayas, a spokesman for the health care workers union, SEIU DIstrict 1199. The budget includes no additional funding for nursing homes.
“We need to show something to these workers to see that progress is being made,” Zayas said. “This is a last resort, going to a strike – all parties involved want to avert a strike – [but the budget proposal] really gives us no other option.”
Workers are demanding a 4 percent raise in Medicaid funding for nursing homes in each of the next two fiscal years.
Union officials will meet next Wednesday to discuss a possible new strike date.
Asked for comment, Lamont's office sent a previous statement that said the governor "remains committed to facilitating the best and fairest outcome while reducing, to the extent possible, any potential disruption for the vulnerable residents and patients who rely on these homes for their care."
