CONTACT: Joe Smydo, jsmydo@usw.org, 412-562-2281
(Pittsburgh) – United Steelworkers (USW) International President Tom Conway issued the following statement today regarding the minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS):
“Health care workers in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities serve some of the most vulnerable members of society, and minimum staffing standards will help these workers provide the time and attention their patients need.
“The USW represents 50,000 health care workers, and our members witness firsthand how short staffing serves as the root cause of many of the most urgent concerns across the health care industry.
“As we look to fortify a system battered by the pandemic and increasingly strained by the nation’s aging population, we appreciate the administration’s efforts to pursue a minimum staffing standard.
“We look forward to providing comments on the proposed rule as our members continue the fight to build a strong, safe and resilient system of care.”
The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in health care, metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.