About 75 Home Healthcare United East union members protested what they termed as ‘a move by their employer to cut workers’ hourly wages’ on Wednesday, March 25th.The home health aides are employees of Personal-Touch Home Health Services located on Chestnut Street, which provides in-home care services for the elderly and the disabled.
Supporting the union members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) were Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (20th Legislative District), Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (20th Legislative District), Assemblyman Gary Schaer (36th Legislative District), Assemblyman Tom Giblin (34th Legislative District), as well as Roselle Borough Mayor Jamel Holley.
A protestor, Lisa, said, “As a home healthcare worker, all I want is a contract, not a pay decrease.”
Another woman, Katia, said she was there as a former healthcare worker to support the protesters because she knows they perform an invaluable service and should get a decent wage. She added, “Management is planning to make wage cuts and they are profiting from the workers.”
Home Healthcare United East are currently in negotiations with Personal-Touch management to determine the terms of a new employment contract.
