News for Immediate Release:
Friday, Jan. 18, 2008

CONTACT:
Jennifer Kelly, 213-401-3321,
Jennifer.Kelly@seiu.org

Healthcare Activists Call on Lazard-Affiliated Atria Senior Living to Stop Paying Workers Peanuts

Wall Street Firm Rakes in Billions While Caregivers Make Peanuts

LOUISVILLE, Ky.-Dressed in peanut costumes, activists from the Campaign to Improve Assisted Living, SEIU Healthcare, and Kentucky Jobs with Justice protested at Lazard-affiliated Atria Senior Living headquarters Friday, Jan. 18.

Atria Senior Living is owned by an investment fund affiliated with Lazard, a large Wall Street firm that manages more than $140 billion.

While Atria and Lazard rake in billions, many Atria workers who spend their lives caring for fragile and elderly seniors are earning poverty wages. In 2006, Lazard's CEO earned nearly $23 million, and reportedly has a net worth of more than $2 billion. By contrast, hourly pay for Atria facility workers is about $8 to $10 an hour.

"It's unacceptable that Atria and Lazard continue to pay workers these poverty wages," said Attica Scott, coordinator of Kentucky Jobs with Justice. "These workers give all their time and energy to caring for our nation's elderly, they deserve more than peanuts. As an organization that fights for workers' rights, we call on Atria to set up a fair process that allows employees there to form a union."

Workers at several Atria facilities have joined together to form a union for better care and working conditions. However, Atria and Lazard have lashed out by threatening and intimidating workers in an attempt to pressure them not to unite. The company is currently under investigation for several violations of labor law and for discrimination against workers based on their national origin.

Chanting "Peanuts for Atria Workers, BILLIONS for Lazard," protestors handed out peanuts and fliers to the local lunchtime crowd. They also gathered signatures on a petition calling for Lazard and Atria to allow workers a fair process for forming a union.

Atria Senior Living is one of the largest senior living providers in the country, with more than 130 facilities in 27 states.

More details and the workers' petition at: www.improveassistedliving.org.