Nursing home workers calling for solutions to staffing issues

EAGAN, Minn. — Nursing home workers in Minnesota are calling for solutions to staffing issues.

On Friday, union members with SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa gathered in front of the headquarters of Monarch Nursing Homes in Eagan.

Workers there said they're feeling overworked and understaffed.

"The short staff, a lot of discrimination, we've been back and forth with Monarch for a long, long time," said Rasha Ahmadsharif, executive vice president of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa. "They don't understand what their workers, their own workers are suffering, that they actually need union representation to always speak to their leaders and their human resources."

Monarch CEO Marc Halpert says they've been asking lawmakers for additional funding and better wages, and even helped put forth legislation.

"Unfortunately, these previous efforts have been opposed by organized labor," Halpert said. "We welcome SEIU to this cause and look forward to their help in securing these funds during this legislative session."