Striking nursing home workers in Ansonia and Derby are eligible to receive unemployment payments, the workers’ union announced Wednesday.
The state labor ruling was initiated by Barbara Halliman, a dietary aid who works in Derby. She filed for unemployment in April. Click the video to see an interview with Halliman from April 23.
Hundreds of workers employed by Spectrum Health Care across the state went on strike April 15. Local nursing homes include Hilltop Health in Ansonia and Birmingham Health Center in Derby.
There are 400 workers on strike across Connecticut.
Striking workers do not usually receive unemployment benefits, according to a statement released by District 1999 spokeswoman Deborah Chernoff.
However, a state labor decision says the striking workers are due to collect benefits because Spectrum created a “recall list” for the striking employees. Many workers have been replaced by temporary workers and the old employees on the “recall list” would be offered jobs when they became available.
The list, according to a state labor ruling, essentially replaces the striking working permanently, which qualifies them for unemployment benefits.
For background on the strike, click here, here, here or here.
A copy of the ruling is posted below.