Settlement Ends Strike In Kellogg Nursing Home Aides Accept Compromise On Wages

After nine days of around-the-clock picketing, workers at a Kellogg nursing home have struck a deal they can live with.

“We got more money. It’s not as much as we asked, but it will do,” said Teresa Atha, president of United Steelworkers Local 9052.

The 34 local members, mostly certified nurses’ aides, began negotiations with Shoshone Living Center in late February. They resolved almost a hundred issues before hitting a standstill over wages.

The workers, who made in the neighborhood of $5 to $7 per hour, wanted an 80-cent per-hour raise. They were being offered a 10 percent raise over three years.

Their strike caught executives at the nursing home by surprise. Last week, Shoshone Living Center administrator Kathy Joy said management had made the best offer possible and would hire new staff.

But Tuesday evening, local members voted to accept a compromise offer. Joy and Atha declined to give details of the agreement.

“It’s just nice to get back to work,” said Atha.

“Both sides were happy with the agreement. Now we can get back to the business of taking care of our residents. That’s what counts,” said Joy.