On Oct. 23, licensed practical nurses at the Whitney Rehabilitation Care Center in Hamden, Conn., joined UFCW Local 371 for a better life.
Mary O’Sullivan (left), a licensed practical nurse at Whitney Rehabilitation Care Center, and her colleague, Karen Perry.
“My coworkers and I are proud of our work, but we want to have the same protections, regular raises, and affordable health care that the certified nursing assistants fought for in their union contract.”
– Mary O’Sullivan, UFCW Local 371
UFCW Local 371 has represented workers at the facility, including certified nursing assistants, as well as laundry, dietary and housekeeping staff, for over 20 years. After COVID-19 hit the facility hard in the spring, the 29 licensed practical nurses wanted the same contract protections as their colleagues, including better wages and more affordable health insurance.
“As the wife of a retired police officer, I know the importance of having the protection of a union contract,” said Mary O’Sullivan, a licensed practical nurse. “My coworkers and I are proud of our work, but we want to have the same protections, regular raises, and affordable health care that the certified nursing assistants fought for in their union contract.”
“We are happy to welcome the Whitney licensed practical nurses to our union family,” said UFCW Local 371 President Ronald Petronella. “We have had a longstanding relationship with Whitney Rehab, and our current members enjoy one of the strongest contracts in the industry. We look forward to bargaining a similarly strong contract for our newest members at Whitney Rehab.”