Members Pack 1199SEIU Training Classes
Monday, June 30, 2008
(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)
Members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare
Workers East are packing the union's inaugural classes for Certified Nursing
Assistants (CNA) and Geriatric Nursing Assistants (GNA). "I wanted a better
opportunity than what I'm doing now and I wanted a change and to improve my
job," says Monique Kearson, who's worked as a dietary aide at Ravenwood Nursing
and Rehab Center for three and a half years and enrolled in 1199SEIU's Training
and Upgrading Fund's CNA/GNA training. "It's a great opportunity for those who
are trying to do more for themselves," Kearson said, "The great part is that it's free." Two classes that began in May were
completely filled and a third class, scheduled to begin in August, already has
enrollees. Students come from a wide range of health care institutions,
including Johns Hopkins, Maryland General and Sinai hospitals in Baltimore, as
well as from area nursing homes. They are clerical workers, dietary aides,
environmental service workers, transporters and security personnel. Upon
completion of the CNA/GNA classes, 1199SEIU will be offering job placement
workshops and services so that program graduates can begin reaping the benefits
of their studies. Click here to read
the complete story.