Pittsburgh nursing home staff finally receive long-awaited paychecks
- Employees at Squirrel Hill Wellness and Rehabilitation Center had not received their paychecks for nearly three weeks.
- Union representatives worked on a grievance to address the payroll issues, which were attributed to a payroll glitch.
- Despite the challenges, workers remained dedicated to their jobs, highlighting their commitment to patient care.
In late October 2024, employees at the Squirrel Hill Wellness and Rehabilitation Center in Pittsburgh, United States, faced significant financial distress due to a troubling lapse in payroll. Many workers had not received their wages for nearly three weeks, leading to growing concerns about personal finances, including overdraft fees and unpaid bills. Several affected employees contacted local news outlet KDKA-TV to seek assistance in resolving this issue. Upon investigating the situation, KDKA-TV found that the nursing home owner declined to comment, while an administrator indicated they were aware of the issue but were not forthcoming. Simultaneously, John Galuska, head of the union that represents the employees, responded critically to the failure in payroll, emphasizing that most workers live paycheck to paycheck, exacerbating the urgency of the matter. As part of their response, the union filed a grievance to seek remedies for affected employees, including compensation for late fees incurred due to the delayed payments. Although the owner described the payroll issue as a glitch, the situation was precipitated by poor communication and management practices, leaving employees feeling uncertain about future pay reliability. Despite this challenging period, the employees demonstrated resilience and continued their duties out of concern for their patients. Union leaders expressed pride in their members' commitment and pledged to strengthen oversight and communication to prevent similar issues in the future.