Health care workers with 1199SEIU in Poughkeepsie are calling on the state for change within nursing homes.

Certified nursing assistant Kimberly tells News 12 she believes each resident isn’t treated fairly.

“If I have to do three or more showers and I only get to two, that’s not fair to the other two residents that need to shower,” says Kimberly.

Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at River Valley has employed her as a CNA for 16 years.

Today, she and her coworkers stood in the rain calling for help from Albany.

“I want to give them more attention,” says Kimberly. “I look at my residents as my babies. We need more help!”

The strike is one of more than 200 happening statewide.

1199 administrative organizer Colleen Hemmings says the goal of the strike is to have a bill signed into law.

“We want the Senate to pass a bill to invest in nursing home reform, which would let up to quality care,” says Hemmings.

The union hopes the Senate will ensure nursing home operators invest a minimum of 70% of revenue on resident care, 40% of revenue on staffing, along with preventing owners with poor standings from purchasing more facilities.

According to Kimberly, this help is needed to make a difference in the lives she works with.

“I don’t like rushing through, doing the bare minimum,” says Kimberly. “More staffing…and I can spend more time with my residents, take care of them properly.”

News 12 contacted Grand Rehab and Nursing for comment, but has not yet heard back. The union plans to rally at the state Capitol next week.