Healthcare strikers want Rell involved

Hartford, Conn. (WTNH) - A group of striking health care workers took protesting one step further by demonstrating in front of the Governor's house in Hartford.

The strikers called for Governor Rell to intervene in the walk-out on Thursday and take stronger action to prevent what they call 'Elder Abuse'.

They argue that the long strike involving almost 400 workers is not only effecting the quality of care at the nursing homes. They say it is also affecting the quality of life they can provide for their own families. One striking worker talked about the residents of her nursing home as if they are 'family'. "We are asking them to take us off the street and go back to work at Birmingham, Hilltop and Laurel Hill," said Valerie Johnson. "We need to go back to our loved ones take care of them and give them the care they should get."

The demonstrators are also calling on the governor to appoint a person to investigate and help prevent cases of elder abuse in the state's nursing homes. The union contends it is a post that has gone unfilled since last November and is just another reason why the strike should be a front burner issue for Rell.

"She hasn't been involved from the beginning and we think it's important that she knows we're still out here," said Patty Pickus of one the strikers. "Almost four months, no contract and no involvement from Rell. The patients are suffering."

Governor Rell was not home while that protest was going on, but she did release this statement:

"The Governor's office feels it would be inappropriate to intervene in a private dispute."

As for the vacancy in that elder care position, Rell's office says the position is not even under the governor's 'purview ' and that it's actually handled by the State's Attorney's Office. A spokesman for the State's Attorney's Office office says there is no vacancy and that those responsibilities have been transferred to a new financial crimes bureau. They also say if the union has any specific cases of elder abuse that they should get in touch with their office.