Cherrywood Nursing Home CENAs Vote Overwhelmingly for Union

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., Sept. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Certified nursing assistants (CENAs) at Cherrywood Nursing & Living Center in Sterling Heights, voted overwhelmingly for union representation yesterday, and gained the right to negotiate staffing levels, health care, hourly wage, and other conditions of employment with the nursing home administration.

CENAs voted 60-12 in favor of union representation, a 5:1 margin. The vote certified the United Food and Commercial Workers, (UFCW) Local 876 as the official collective bargaining agent for CENAs at the facility. Cherrywood is administered by Premier Healthcare Management, which operates nursing centers across the Metro Detroit Area.

Many supported unionization because of the need for improved staffing levels to support the residents at the nursing facility. "We make a serious commitment to our residents and this facility. We want the Cherrywood administration to recognize our commitment and provide the staff necessary to do our jobs effectively," said Crystal Hill, who works the morning shift.

"This victory is the result of many great conversations between staff at Cherrywood," said Andrea Tucker, who works the night shift. We are excited to join UFCW 876 and look forward to working with the Cherrywood administration in developing a fair contract that improves our facility for both employees and its residents."   

UFCW 876 is a progressive partner in building strong, healthy communities through solid wages, meaningful benefits and the means to a decent retirement through the protections of a union contract. Representing nearly 18,000 members in Michigan and 1.2 million members nationwide, UFCW is the largest private sector union in the country with members working in retail, grocery, meatpacking, and pharmaceutical, healthcare and automotive.

SOURCE United Food and Commercial Workers Local 876