Group Home Workers, Paraprofessionals Prepare to Walk Out On Strike

16 May 2025

Thursday May 15th, just two weeks after their nursing home brothers and sisters, members of SEIU 1199NE's Community Programs marched to the Governor's office and delivered their own strike notices. The notices, which includes over 100 facilities represented by 6 ownership groups, advised the Governor that if demands are not met the nearly 1,700 workers will walk off the job on May 27th and strike with nursing home workers.

Community Programs includes members who work at various group homes along with Oak Hill Schools. These members serve some of our most vulnerable residents, many who are living with varying degrees of disabilities, both physical and intellectual. They require around the clock care and can be both verbally and physically abusive towards their caregivers, who despite the setbacks, show up day after day always ready to provide the best care possible.

We heard emotional stories from several members, who then walked from the Legislative Office Building to the State Capitol and up to the Governor's office on the second floor. There, Direct Support Staff member Sylvia Grant, handed over the petition notices to the Governor's staff along with sharing some of her personal frustrations. From her weekly struggle to pay her bills, to being able to provide the best care because the staffing in her facility remains short-handed regularly.

Press coverage is highlighted below.

“I’m often left deciding if I’m buying food to put in the fridge, or am I paying car insurance. I’m always juggling bills — I should join the circus,” Grant said through tears. “There are decisions no one should have to make — especially a caregiver working full time. But here’s the catch: I’m working more than full time.”

Sylvia Grant, Direct Support Staff, Network Group Home

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“They’re working 60, 70, 80, frankly upward of 100 hours a week, just to get by. Not because they want to, but just to put food on the table, to pay rent,”

Suzanne Clark, Secretary Treasurer, SEIU 1199NE

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"My pay leaves me gripping every month to pay rent. I’m often left deciding if I get food for my fridge or pay the car insurance."

Sylvia Grant, Direct Support Staff, Network Group Home

“We’ve had many, many, many injuries, and I think a lot of it is because we don’t have the proper staffing. But who wants to work for $18 an hour and get beat up?”

Linnea Moore, Residential Program Worker, Oak Hill

A full recording of Thursday's press conference is included below. You can watch the stories from all our members along with a brief introduction and show of support from State Senator Matt Lesser.