Labor, Community Allies Stage Vigil To Defend Nursing Home

ALBANY, NY (05/02/2013)(readMedia)-- The Albany County Central Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO (ACCFL) is organizing union members and community allies and calling upon Albany County Legislator Mary Lou Bartolotta-Connolly (D-Mckownville) to stand with them in their fight against privatization of the Albany County Nursing Home (ACNH).

They will be canvassing her neighborhood on Thursday afternoon, asking her constituents to contact their County Legislator. They are urging her to stand up for quality care and good local jobs at ACNH. Following the canvass, the group will hold a vigil outside the Guilderland home of Bartolotta-Connolly.

President Bill Ritchie noted, "The ACCFL and our 30,000 union members in Albany County stand with these families and workers against the senseless privatization of Albany County's historic public nursing home. The proposal by Country Executive Dan McCoy and his allies is nothing but an irresponsible corporate giveaway that makes profit, rather than quality healthcare, the county's priority. That's shameful."

He said, "It was just weeks ago that Mary Lou stated that she stood with the residents, families and workers at the nursing home. Today, we're asking her to stand true to her word. We are telling her not to support McCoy's privatization plan that would strip workers of their contracts, reduce their wages and benefits, and place the quality care of our frail and elderly in jeopardy."

Executive Director of the Labor-Religion Coalition of NYS Sara Niccoli said, "Faith leaders and community members stand with the ACCFL in fighting for quality care and good local jobs in Albany County. Our community's seniors and hard working people are being set up as the next victims in the corporate race to the bottom and we cannot remain silent. Together, we stand for quality care and dignity of work over corporate profit."

The canvass and vigil are part of a continued series of public actions in response to McCoy's plan to lease the nursing home to a private company. Union members and other opponents of the privatization have been thanking those who have already stated their opposition to the lease proposal, and urging others to work to defeat the privatization plan.