Following Social Distancing Guidelines, 1199SEIU Workers throughout the state will Join National Day of Action Calling on Federal to #GetMePPE

Lives on the Line: Frontline Healthcare Workers to Demand Masks, Gowns, Protective Gear in Largest-Ever One-Day Protest Amid COVID-19 Crisis

Frontline nursing home workers throughout the state will join the #GetMePPE National Day of Action on Thursday, April 9 — the largest ever one-day protest by healthcare workers during the COVID-19 crisis. Workers are set to demand the federal government deploy its full force and power to get more Personal Protective Equipment in the hands of healthcare workers immediately.

WHO:                  

Nursing home workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis

WHAT:                

Socially-distanced worker protest to #GetMePPE at care facilities

WHEN:                

Thursday, April 9 – 3pm

WHERE:              

Hermitage Next Step Worcester

383 Mill Street

Worcester, MA 01602

Blaire House of Worcester

116 Houghton Street

Worcester, MA 01604

Wakefield Care Center

1 Bathol Street

Wakefield, MA 01880

Brandon Woods at New Bedford

397 County St

New Bedford, MA 02740

Pine Knoll

30 Watertown St

Lexington, MA 02421

The nursing home workers leading the #GetMePPE National Day of Action are members of 1199SEIU, the nation’s largest union of healthcare workers. Frontline healthcare workers and caregivers are at the epicenter of fighting coronavirus in our country’s hospitals, nursing homes, care facilities and client homes and are putting their lives on the line without the protection they need.

“Throughout this crisis, 1199SEIU caregivers have brushed aside fear and anxiety to care for others in hospitals, health centers, nursing homes, and in private residences. As we fight to stop the spread of this virus, caregivers are also urging the Federal government to protect workers on the job by taking the necessary action to increase the production of PPE and ventilators. This is life or death, and we need the Trump administration to put the health and safety of workers and patients first,” said Tim Foley, 1199SEIU Executive Vice President.

Workers are calling on the Trump administration to drive a coordinated, transparent national response — using the full power of the Defense Production Act — to immediately, and for the duration of the crisis, procure, produce, and provide PPE to all healthcare workers. They are also calling for healthcare coverage, paid sick time and paid leave for all frontline workers nationwide.

Additional Background

1199SEIU

Representing over 60,000 healthcare workers throughout Massachusetts and over 450,000 workers across the East Coast, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. Our mission is to achieve affordable, high quality healthcare for all. 1199SEIU is part of the 2 million member Service Employees International Union.

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Protect All Workers

Workers at the forefront of the growing Coronavirus pandemic recently launched Protect All Workers, a demand calling on leading industries — from airlines to hospitals to fast-food and beyond — to take immediate, sweeping, and concrete actions to protect the health, safety and financial security of all workers in America. Backed by the 2 million-member Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and workers in the Fight for $15 and a Union, Protect All Workers is mobilizing thousands of working people to pressure corporate leaders and elected officials to protect all workers amid the global pandemic and economic crisis.