As new members of amalgamated Local 2-21 at Bishop Noa Home (BNH) entered another tough round of negotiations with their employer, a group of the nursing home and rehab center workers showcased their solidarity and strong spirits by dressing as Rosie the Riveters during Halloween.
The costumed workers in Escanaba, Mich., wanted to reflect the local’s own battle at the bargaining table.
“The real Rosie the Riveter passed away last year and we wanted to represent how the fight all started,” said Marcia Hardy, a dietary aide at BNH.
And the workers weren’t the only ones to enjoy the festive wear.
“We had a lot of fun with it, and quite a few of the residents commented on the costumes,” said Hardy. “That’s really the point of all we do—keeping their spirits high.”
Local trade unionists and Upper Peninsula Steelworkers have been rallying around the members during their negotiations. Last week, a group of BNH workers leafletted at a nearby paper mill where 700 USW members work as part of the amalgamated Local 2-21.
