Homecare Providers at Community Care Companions have voted overwhelmingly to join 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU), United Healthcare Workers East.

From Long Island to Rochester to Buffalo, more than 1,600 Workers across all sectors of home health care now have a voice on the job.

These Homecare Providers join more than 150,000 Unionized Home Care Workers across New York State and will now have an opportunity to negotiate a contract to improve working conditions and client care.

"I have been working at Community Care for almost ten years,” Home Health Aide Janie Henley said. “Winning our Union with (1199 SEIU) means that we can have a real voice on the job and will be able to bargain for paid time off, paid vacation time and better wages."

Home Health Aide Stacey Felder said: "Home Care Workers are out there on their own, now after winning our Union we are one whole workforce united with (1199 SEIU).  We will stand for each other and a fair contract for our profession.”

Home care has become the fastest-growing job in the country, but is also among the lowest paid.

Home care Professionals - typically referred to as Home Health Aides (HHA) or Personal Care Attendants (PCA), work hard to care for Seniors and people living with disabilities, providing clients with essential care like toileting, bathing and feeding. 

Across New York, Home Care Workers are earning just above minimum wage and lack essential benefits like health care or paid sick days.

Studies show these low wages are causing alarmingly high turnover, jeopardizing critical services and straining the Home Care System for the growing number of Seniors who choose living at home over expensive long-term care facilities.

By voting to join 1199SEIU, the 1,600 Home Care Professionals at Community Care Companions will now have a collective voice to improve working conditions and fight for a better care system for all.

1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East - whose mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all, is the largest and fastest-growing Health Care Union in America, representing more than 400,000 Nurses and Caregivers throughout the States of New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Florida, as well as in Washington, D.C. and Florida. 

In New York State alone, the Union represents 150,000 Home Care Workers.

To Directly Access This Labor News Report, Go To: More than 1,600 Homecare providers at Community Care Companions join 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, New York’s largest healthcare union. :: 1199SEIU