Rev. Rich Rose joins Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton in support of the Lakeside workers. Lakeside worker Lana Wegner-Hardin (L), SEIU rep Baschki Leo (center) and family advocate Linda Holzbaur all participated.

Ithaca, Oct. 27

Lakeside Nursing Home workers supported by members of the community, families of residents, community organizations, public officials, including Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton and Ithaca Mayor Carolyn Peterson, have announced their intention to fight requirements by the new owners of Lakeside, The Peregrine Health Management Company. Healthcare workers at lakeside have been told that they may be out of jobs and out of retirement pensions when the new owners take over on November 1.

Perigrine was appointed as Lakeside's receiver in 2001 and has operated the nursing home since that time. Recently Peregrine purchased Lakeside and immediately demanded the workers give up their pensions and re-apply for their own jobs.

Despite having operated Lakeside for the past 9 years, Peregrine now says that the long time staff is not worthy of staying on as caregivers for the elderly and ill residents they have served for many years. Furthermore, even if they are rehired, the long-term receivers turned owners want the workers to give up their pensions.

At today's press conference, the Service Employees International Union 1199, family members of Lakeside residents and the Tompkins County Workers' Center demanded that Peregrine guarantee the jobs and pensions of the Lakeside workers. 

In a separate statement, the Ithaca Democratic Socialists of America pledged their support of the workers and decried the "unbelievable arrogance and gall" of the "new" owners who, they said, "are rewarding loyal and hard working employees with demands that remind us of the union busting heyday of the 1930s."