OUR UNION
1199ers Home Health Workers Rally for Better Care Better Jobs Act Events highlight workers’ dedication and sacrifice during the pandemic.
On July 13, just a week after New York City celebrated its frontline workers with a ticker-tape parade, hundreds of homecare workers marched and rallied in lower Manhattan to call attention to their sacrifice and the need for better pay and support for their industry. The event was part of a nationwide day of action demanding that Congress pass the Better Care Better Jobs Act, which includes a $400 billion investment in homecare. The investment would help create millions of new jobs and expand access to homecare for at least one million families and individuals. With the march, 1199SEIU homecare workers turned the streets around New York City Hall into a sea of purple and threatening rain clouds didn’t dampen spirits or a sense of purpose. Rona Shapiro, 1199SEIU’s Executive Vice President for Homecare, praised the workers’ dedication—even in the face of a pandemic. “You have shown out and shown up, keeping New Yorkers safe,” said Shapiro. Shapiro was joined on the event’s program by 1199SEIU President George Gresham, Congressman Hakeem Jefferies (D-NY), SEIU Vice President Rocio Saenz, and New York 18
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City Mayor Bill de Blasio. “You were there, no matter how tough it was, you showed up,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio, speaking at a rally held before the march. “We love what we do, but we need to be paid better,” affirmed Lilieth Clacken, a home health aide who works for the Region Care and All Metro agencies. Anna Couch, a home health aide with the Personal Touch agency, urged her 1199 family to see through the fight for Better Care Better Jobs. “We homecare workers have sacrificed a lot and have risked our lives to provide necessary care for our clients during COVID-19,” said Couch. “We homecare workers are essential and demand that we are recognized as such. We deserve to be protected and respected. Si Se Puede!”
Home Health Aide Anna Couch and Congressman Hakeem Jefferies (D-NY) were among the speakers at a July 13 march and rally in New York City calling on Congress to pass the Better Care Batter Jobs Act. The legislation includes a $400 billion investment in the homecare agency. The NYC event was part of a National Day of Action across the country. 1199SEIU home health workers also gathered in Springfield, MA to call attention to the need for better pay and benefits for Personal Care Attendants and other home health workers.
The Better Care Better Jobs Act, which includes a $400 billion investment in homecare. The investment would help create millions of new jobs and expand access to homecare for at least one million families and individuals.
Personal Care Attendants in Massachusetts also rallied that day, demanding better pay and working conditions. The Springfield, MA action was one of 24 sites nationwide where workers made their voices heard. “We bring everything to our job because we take care of consumers,” PCA Minerva LeBron told Springfield’s WWLP. “And we give them more than 100 percent of ourselves.” 1199 Magazine 19
