Wednesday, 5/25 @ 11 a.m. Rally in Support of George Junior Republic Workers/Thursday 1-5 p.m.Rally in Support of Lakeside Nursing Home Workers

I. George Junior Republic and Service Employees Union (SEIU) Campaign for
Living Wage/Affordable Health Care: Wednesday, May 25th @ 11 a.m. at
George Junior Republic in Freeville (details below)

II. SEIU Informational Picket at Lakeside Nursing Home in Ithaca, 1-5 p.m.
on Thursday, May 26th (see below for details)
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I. George Junior Republic and Service Employees Union Campaign for Living
Wage/Affordable Health Care: Wednesday, May 25th @ 11 a.m.

Please join the workers of the George Junior Republic foster care agency
this Wednesday, as they rally for livable wages and affordable healthcare.
Months of negotiations over a new union contract culminated last week with
George Junior management’s presentation of their “last and final” wage and
benefit offer.

Management’s offer is an insult to our hard-working members. On wages:
they offered our workers a meager .20 to .30 cent per hour increase,
depending on individual length of service. On health insurance, management
wants our workers to pay 20% of the premium while non-union employees pay
only 15%. Our bargaining committee unanimously encourages our members to
“Vote No” on management’s proposal so we can go back to the negotiating
table and fight for dignity!

Rally for Livable Wages & Affordable Healthcare!
Wednesday May 25th, 2005
11:00 AM, Rte. 38
George Junior Republic in Freeville
(Assemble in front of horticulture; you’ll see the cars and people!)
*Bring your banners, friends and colleagues!*

Directions:
From Cortland/Dryden:
Rte.38 North out of Dryden.
About 2 miles on 38 you’ll see cars & people on your left; park.

From Ithaca:
Rte.13 North
Left on George Rd. (about 7 miles from the airport)
Left on Rte. 38 (Freeville Rd.) at the “T”
After a ¼ mile or so, you’ll see cars & people on your left; park.

Contact SEIU Local 200United Organizer, Keegan Cox for more information:
1 800-733-1754 or 315-529-8613
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II. SEIU Informational Picket at Lakeside Nursing Home in Ithaca, 1-5 p.m.
on Thursday, May 26th
What: SEIU 1199 Informational Picket
When: Thursday, May 26, 2005 from 1-5 PM
Where: Lakeside Nursing Home, 1229 Trumansburg Rd. (Rt. 96), Ithaca
Why: Lakeside needs to balance its budget in order to survive bankruptcy.

The State Legislature passed a budget which includes $80 million in
extra funding for nursing homes, but Albany can not agree on how the money
should be distributed. Lakeside is the ideal candidate for this money.

Lakeside pays higher wages, provides free health insurance, a
guaranteed union pension and invests in training and upgrading for its
members. But being a responsible employer is one reason Lakeside is in
bankruptcy.

Lakeside’s receivers and potential buyers need to understand loud and
clear that Lakeside needs to balance its budget by working with its
employees to bring new funds into the facility. Lakeside’s budget problems
can’t be solved on the backs of its employees by demanding concession
bargaining or by reducing staff.

There will be pickets throughout upstate on Thursday at all SEIU-
represented nursing homes that are in a position similar to Lakeside’s.

Please join our SEIU brothers and sisters for this important demonstration
of union support!