Staff at a Fresno-based nursing home are threatening to strike Sept. 21 if an agreement cannot be reached, The Fresno Bee reported Sept. 19.
Organizers of Service Employees International Union 2015 are expecting 100 percent participation from staff in the strike after months of contract negotiations between the hospital operator and the union. The union alleges unsafe working conditions due to low staffing levels, delaying payments and bounced checks, and disrespectful behavior from administrative staff.
The union is keeping an additional, longer strike as a bargaining tool, Terry Carter, spokesperson for SEIU 2015, told The Fresno Bee. A tentative agreement on the contract before Sept. 21 would avert the strike, Carter added.
Mario Marasigan, who has owned Sunnyside Convalescent Hospital since late 2021, said the facility's residents and employees have been treated fairly.
"We will continue to strive to provide the best care possible to our residents," Mr. Marasigan said in a statement shared with The Fresno Bee. "As for the staff, it is also unfortunate that some will allege that we are treating them badly."
Some employees alleged their paychecks have bounced multiple times, and some say they are being paid in gift cards.
Mr. Marasigan declined to comment on paychecks bouncing and denied allegations of employees being paid in gift cards, according to The Fresno Bee.