Long-term Caregivers Demand Livable Wages In Civil Disobedience at Governor's Mansion

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Home care workers (PCAs) rallied at the Governor’s Residence in Hartford to demand a fair contract, and calling for the $200 thousand of federal funds included in the Recovery Act for home care services to be allocated to meet the needs of healthcare workers. 

 

There are 10,000 home care PCAs covered by SEIU District 1199’s union contract with the State of Connecticut, serving 6,000 families. The contract, which expired at the end of June,was extended pending negotiations.

“If Connecticut cares about advancing racial and pay equity, negotiate a fair contract with PCAs, the majority of whom are women of color that make poverty wages with no health insurance, retirement or paid time off”, said Diedre Murch, vice president of District 1199’s home care division.

“It’s a shame that we have to be out here in 2021 doing the very things that they did back in the sixties. I mean, we’re talking over 50 years of a struggle for people,” said State Rep. Robyn Porter, co-chair of the Labor Committee. “I will be here with you every step of the way. If we can't get these things done right this year, then when are we going to make things right?”

“I think of all the people that you help as healthcare workers. That you’re there to make sure they have that dignity and that they can get through the hardest part of their lives. That they can have some stability in their lives.,” said State Rep Ed Vargas, asking, “ Is that possible if you as a healthcare workers don’t have stability in your own lives?”

“This is a fight for dignity.” Vargas concluded. “ This is a fight to make sure that the work you’re doing is recognized. And you will win and we will support you all the way,”

The demand by union home care workers for living wages and benefits has national support including Mary Kay Henry President of SEIU, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II of the Poor People’s Campaign and Repairers of the Breach, and Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.