ESCANABA — “The union’s here to stay… we won’t go away…” picketers walking back and forth in front of the Bishop Noa Home on 3rd Avenue South chanted Thursday. Members from the United Steelworkers (USW) and union workers from Bishop Noa held an informational picket between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

“We’re here to show our support for men and women that work in here (Bishop Noa) because they have a demanding job that’s both taxing mentally and physically,” said Local Union 4950 Vice President Dan Ruokolainen.

In September of 2017, a number of certified nursing assistants decided they wanted their voices heard and reached out to local union representatives. After starting the process, the question of whether or not to unionize was taken to a vote and received an overwhelming “yes” from the nurses.

As the process to unionize continued forward, additional departments at Bishop Noa voted to join. The ­support staff, including dietary, laundry and housekeeping workers, joined that fall, bringing the number of union employees to approximately 60 by November 2017. Since then, the unionized workers have been employed without a contract for just under two years.

“We’re out here picketing because we want Bishop Noa employees to get a fair contract and get treated fairly … as it goes right now, they’re not,” said Kevin Lyle USW member and spouse of an employee at Bishop Noa. “My wife has been there 37 years; that doesn’t matter to them. It doesn’t matter that she gave her entire working career to one place. They don’t care about that.”

The USW Health Care Workers Council has negotiated with Bishop Noa administration for almost two years. During that time the Bishop Noa Home administrator changed from Elsie Stafford, who retired December 2018, to Jamie LaFave, who took over the position in January. LaFave is a licensed nursing home administrator who previously worked as Stafford’s assistant.

“While we are disappointed the union chose to take this course of action, we do not believe it is something a majority of our employees supported and does not change our bargaining position,” said LaFave of the picket in a statement. “In that regard, we have always sought a contract that provides our employees with a highly competitive wage and benefit package while ensuring the highest standards of patient care. Thus, while we prefer not to negotiate through the media, I can assure you that we were already working very hard to reach a fair agreement with the Steelworker’s Union and will continue to do so.”

USW Staff Rep District 2 Chris Haddock said the last offer received from Bishop Noa was voted on and turned down unanimously.

“Some of the items on the table are at-will employment, and … reductions in time off. It’s important that the community understands that we’re not here for just wages, we’re here for personal time off and we’re also concerned about the recent turnovers,” said Haddock. “It’s important that the residents of Bishop Noa Home have a safe place to live with quality care. Right now they get the best care possible. We want to be sure they continue to get the best care.”

According to Haddock the workers have been stifled and penalized for organizing.

USW came in force to show their support and organized in front of Bishop Noa and at the corner of Ludington and Lincoln in front of Walgreens. Due to healthcare laws, picketing was only allowed between the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Labor organizations from the Upper Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin, ironworkers, carpenters, painters and members from the Michigan nurses union were involved.

“We traveled down here today from our home local in Negaunee to show support to our brothers and sisters here who voted to unionize,” said president of USW 4950 Chad Korpi. “They wanted a voice in their work place and Bishop Noa isn’t allowing them to have that voice right now. We’re here to show Bishop Noa that these men and women have our support, not only in their own community, but in far reaching communities.”

There is a hope the two sides will come to a resolution quickly, but Haddock doesn’t believe that’s realistic.

“I think it’s (bull),” said Michael Bellmore a retired representative. “It’s appalling that people look upon their employees with such disrespect and contempt. For a home that cloaks itself in this religious deity and the teachings of Christ, I find their behavior far from how they should treat their employees. Hopefully they understand … their employees who take care of the elderly, the feeble, disabled and the sick, do it with a passion and care.”