Bloomfield Hills nursing home workers go on one-day strike

Christina Hall
Detroit Free Press
Nursing home workers, community allies and elected officials strike at the SKLD Bloomfield Hills nursing home in Bloomfield Hills on Monday, July 11, 2022. The workers participated in a one-day strike to fight for better pay and care for residents, and they say they are now being intimidated and retaliated against by management.

Workers at SKLD Bloomfield Hills held a one-day unfair labor practice strike Monday, asking for better pay and staffing levels and improved quality of care for patients at the nursing home.

Workers, elected officials  — including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — and others then attended a Unions for All Summit in Detroit to share experiences and discuss the labor movement. Dozens of community leaders and elected officials from across Michigan have voiced support for the SKLD Bloomfield Hills workers, according to releases from SEIU Healthcare Michigan.

These skilled workers are not part of a union, but are trying to unionize. They include certified nursing assistants (CNAs), registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and laundry and kitchen staff, Aulana Harper, a CNA at the facility, previously told the Free Press.

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The SKLD Bloomfield Hills facility has between 60 and 80 workers. It had a census of 140 patients as of June 15, according to a document on the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website.

Nursing home workers, community allies and elected officials strike at the SKLD Bloomfield Hills nursing home in Bloomfield Hills on Monday, July 11, 2022.

After announcing their notice to strike July 1, workers said they faced retaliation and union busting tactics from management, including intimidation, interrogation and unreasonable disciplining, according to a release from SEIU Healthcare Michigan.

Henry Boutros, vice president of Illuminate-HC, said in a statement to the Free Press on Monday that the facility was fully staffed to provide care to residents, adding the "vast majority of our team opted to make themselves available today, should the need arise."

"Regardless of what our teammates choose to do today, we are grateful to all of them for everything they do and look forward to continuing open conversations on how to enhance their day-to-day experience at Bloomfield Hills," according to the statement. "The challenge we face in healthcare is as great as ever, and we appreciate the support of our governing agencies and elected leaders as we stick to our mission, for we are all in this together."

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Boutros said SKLD prides itself on prioritizing the people who care for those in need.

"By and large, our teams know that we have their best interests in mind always. We have proven time and time again, and remain confident, that we can meet any need or request coming from our frontline heroes though open, direct communication," according to the statement.

Kasandra Kemp speaks to the nursing home workers, community allies and elected officials during the strike at the SKLD Bloomfield Hills nursing home in Bloomfield Hills on Monday, July 11, 2022.

Brian Daniel, 62, of Troy, said he is a patient at the facility and has been undergoing physical therapy after one of his legs was amputated in March. He said he believes budget and help are issues at the nursing home, which he believes needs more staff.

He said management from other buildings and contracted help assisted patients Monday. He added: "I think with this line of work, we do better when the people know us."

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @challreporter.

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