FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 27, 2010
MEDIA CONTACT: Neil Bhaerman, 412.266.4899, bhaerman@seiuhealthcarepa.org
Month-Long, Statewide Tour Highlighting Independence for Seniors, People with Disabilities Stops in New Castle
NEW CASTLE, Penn. – Dozens of home care workers, consumers, and advocates rallied today in support of the Independence Ride, a month-long tour of the state highlighting the need for quality home care in Pennsylvania. Members of the Disability Options Network joined the crowd in Riverwalk Memorial Park.
“The Consumer Workforce Council is the best thing that could possibly happen for consumers and their attendants,” said home care consumer and Secretary for the Consumer Workforce Council Beth Bowser. “The CWC will increase choices and independence for those who need services, while working for better wages and benefits for home care attendants.”
Independence Riders signed a Declaration of Independence which read in part, “Seniors and people with disabilities must have the same opportunities to pursue life, liberty and happiness as anyone else. This means rebalancing our system from one centered on nursing homes to one centered on people’s homes and developing a qualified, retainable workforce to support community living.”
Independence Riders are traveling in a customized, accessible van covered in photos of home care workers and consumers.
“I am participating in the Independence Ride to raise awareness,” said home caregiver Steven Walls. “Pennsylvania needs to know about home caregivers like me and the role we play in our consumers’ independence and quality of life. Our consumers appreciate us and want to help us get the respect and dignity we deserve, too.”
This is the first large-scale organizing effort by home care workers in Pennsylvania and is happening with the support of the Consumer Workforce Council, a consumer-employer organization. Currently, home care attendants do not have health insurance benefits, despite being caregivers themselves. They also receive no sick days or vacation time. Many of the consumers in the state struggle to keep caregivers on the job, as attendants leave their positions every year for jobs with benefits or higher compensation.
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United Home Care Workers of Pennsylvania is a joint effort by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Our mission is to improve and expand quality health care and to protect and improve the lives of all working families. For more information, visit www.pahomecareworkers.org.