Bused-in Connecticut SEIU Strikers Trespass NJ Offices

Prime Example of Pattern of Breaking the Law

FORT LEE, N.J., Aug. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In the latest example of SEIU members breaking the law, approximately 16 striking SEIU members today trespassed the Fort Lee, NJ, CareOne corporate offices in connection with the ongoing SEIU strike against five Connecticut HealthBridge Health Care Centers. CareOne said it would seek to have trespassing charges lodged against the 16 and that it was assessing any damage to its offices.

"There is a strong pattern of SEIU members breaking the law," said CareOne spokesman Tim Hodges. "SEIU members are currently the subject of a criminal investigation by the Connecticut Chief State's Attorney for the despicable actions carried out against Center residents on July 3, and today's trespassing certainly fits the pattern."

He added: "Today's acts were those of hooligans who disgrace the sacrifices of legitimate labor by utilizing thug tactics, law breaking and victimizing innocent people. While legitimate labor prepares to celebrate Labor Day, they prepare for that day by trespassing on private property, abusing senior citizens and the infirm. CareOne calls upon New Jersey officials to follow the example of their Connecticut counterparts and begin criminal investigations."

Today's thuggish behavior is not surprising, given the despicable acts of some union members when they went out on strike in Connecticut on July 3.

In three of five HealthBridge centers there, criminal acts of sabotage were committed against our residents. This included removing wrist bands from more than 30 residents, switching the names of Alzheimer's and dementia unit residents, changing names on patient resident doors, removing stickers indicating how residents can be fed safely and other actions that placed our residents in serious jeopardy.

This sort of disruptive behavior is taken directly from the national SEIU's playbook that spells out steps for disruptive behavior in and around a strike. That playbook is available here.

These acts against residents, the subject of a criminal investigation, are very similar to actions the same union carried out in 2001. Back then, The Hartford Courant reported that the Chief State's Attorney concluded "in a damning report that many of the alleged incidents not only occurred but also were criminal."

The early afternoon NJ incident occurred while 75-100 strikers marched in front of a building housing CareOne's corporate offices. Approximately 16 strikers entered the building and made it to the floor on which CareOne is located. Police were called and have identified most of the 16.

Earlier Thursday, witnesses in Connecticut saw multiple buses stopping at the sites of the five picket lines there and picking up striking SEIU members. It turned out that they were bound for Fort Lee and today's demonstration and illegal actions.

The early July acts at the Connecticut Health Care Centers, and today's acts of trespass are all in keeping with an out-of-control union – one that was intransigent throughout 17 months of negotiations. This is a union that thinks it's realistic in today's challenging economy to hold out for 8.5 percent contributions to the SEIU pension fund, with no employee contributions, and free health insurance.

Contact: Tim Hodges
(201) 242- 4034 or [email protected]

SOURCE CareOne