Court nixes delay to rehire nursing home strikers

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A federal appeals court in New York has rejected a request by a New Jersey nursing home company to delay an order that it reinstate striking Connecticut workers.

A spokeswoman for HealthBridge managed health care centers says the company will review the decision on Wednesday by a three-judge panel convened by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York.

U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny (SHOT'-nee) granted the injunction on Dec. 11.

David Pickus, president of the New England Health Care Employees Union, District 1199, SEIU, said the decision is a "major victory" that will help protect workers.

HealthBridge had said it acted legally because negotiations were at an impasse. It also refused to reinstate some workers it alleged sabotaged its nursing homes.