Letter to the editor: Union protects community

I appreciated the article, “Pandemic bonuses approved for Westmoreland Manor staff” (Oct. 21, TribLIVE), reporting on workers finally receiving pandemic pay to improve bedside care for residents, reduce short-staffing and retain our overwhelmed workforce during the covid-19 pandemic. But what many readers don’t know is that our fellow nursing home workers, through our SEIU Healthcare PA union, advocated our state lawmakers to make sure these federal tax dollars actually go to our front-line workers.

I have served as a unit clerk/CAN at Westmoreland Manor for over 10 years and have witnessed the trauma of the pandemic firsthand. If it wasn’t for our nursing home workers doing what we always do, advocating for our seniors and residents, these federal dollars never would have gone to retain and respect our essential workers who sacrifice every day to provide quality care during this public health crisis. In other words, being a part of our union protects our entire community.

Stefanie Henry

Youngwood