Caregivers: Strike Is Imminent, State Not Meeting Our Needs

18 May 2025

What: Press Conference and Strike Update

When: Monday, May 19, 2025

Time: 11:30am

Where: State Capitol, 210 Capitol Avenue, Hartford - South Lawn

Who: Members of SEIU 1199NE Nursing Home and Community Programs

HARTFORD - Thousands of nursing home and group home workers represented by SEIU 1199NE are preparing to strike because the State of Connecticut continues to underfund critical long term care services. Despite repeated outreach and urgent warnings from caregivers, the state’s position remains too far off to provide a real path forward for workers to $30.hr, a pathway which is urgently needed for many who are still making poverty wages. Caregivers showed up in good faith—have been met with proposals that don’t come close to meeting the moment.

To end poverty amongst nursing home and group home workers requires investment, and the state needs to meet the moment. Many are still making $18 an hour — barely enough to afford rent, groceries, or gas. Johanna Alabi, a frontline caregiver who joined today’s discussions, put it plainly: even with the proposed increases, most workers would still be earning less than people working in fast food or big-box stores. And those jobs don’t come with the trauma, responsibility, or heartbreak of caring for people’s lives. Connecticut is failing the very workers who hold its long-term care system together.

It's not enough for us, especially caregivers like me, who are working two full-time jobs. 80 hours a week or more and still just getting by.

Johannah Alabi, CNA, Avery Heights & Governors House

Instead, on Monday, healthcare workers will gather at the State Capitol for a press conference to continue pushing their demands forward. Caregivers from all 51 nursing homes and 6 group home agencies preparing to strike will stand together to show just how serious—and how united—this moment is. They will share powerful stories, speak to the crisis in long-term care, and provide key updates on the impending strike.

The system just continues to push us back further, into debt, into poverty and into the streets. We are facing eviction, with the only option being to move in with family or to live in their car. Is this how we treat caregivers in our state?

Sylvia Grant, Direct Support Staff, Network Group Home

The need for wages to increase is just one of many demands of those in healthcare. Increased staffing at all facilities, to provide safe and comprehensive care to all their clients. Plus to ensure the safety of all caregivers, many who have endured injuries in the workplace providing care while short handed.

Injuries are common. CNAs and LPNs routinely strain their backs, twist their wrists, and push their bodies to the limit, all while rushing from room to room to provide the best care possible. Residents deserve better. Caregivers deserve better.

Natasha Forester, Complete Care of Meriden

However, members reiterate that striking is not desired, it is a necessity. They don't want to leave their residents. The reason we are in this field is because we care! Unfortunately, the Governor has left us no choice because he doesn't care about us. He doesn't care that we can't afford to pay for our rent, keep food in our homes or keep the lights on. He doesn't care that we are working multiple jobs, clocking 60, 80, even 100 hours every single week. He doesn't care that we miss out on family events, birthdays, graduations and more because we can't afford to take a day off. So until the Governor shows he cares, we stop providing care.