GALESBURG - Workers at the Galesburg Terrace nursing home, who voted to join a union in May, presented a letter from U.S. Rep. Phil Hare, D-Rock Island, to the nursing home administration Monday asking the home's owner to "implement the contract your employees have won through the democratic process."

In May, the workers at the nursing home at 1145 Frank St. voted 41 to 7 to join Service Employee International Union Healthcare Local 4, which represents 9,000 nursing home workers in Illinois.

The letter, addressed to Michael Lerner, owner of Galesburg Terrace and other nursing homes in Illinois, accuses Lerner of not acting in good faith.

"It seems that you continue to harbor a degree of ill will from the results of the employees' decision to choose union representation, which was, and remains their right," Hare wrote.

The union claims its agreement with Illinois Association of Health Care Facilities, of which Lerner is a member, requires him to negotiate a contract with the employees or accept the existing contract. Instead, he has done neither since the vote in May.

Hal Ruddick, president of the union, said during a news conference Monday morning outside the nursing home that the local workers want the same treatment Lerner gives his workers at his nursing home in Oak Lawn. Ruddick said a similar battle is being waged by workers at Camelot Terrace nursing home in Streator.

Ruddick said Lerner has argued that the cost of living in central Illinois is less than Chicago.

"We're here to tell him that everyone needs health insurance," he said.

The certified nursing aides at Galesburg Terrace earn $7.75 per hour. Housekeepers earn $7.50, which is the new minimum wage. They receive no benefits.

The workers are asking for $8.40 per hour wage for certified nursing aides and $8 per hour for housekeeping workers.

"We need pension and health care as well," said Helen Guerrero, an employee at the nursing home.

She said the employees work hard at the nursing home for their modest pay.

"The quality of care here is excellent," she said.

Attempts to reach Lerner, who owns Gem Health Care Management, were unsuccessful Friday through today.

Also attending the news conference was Crystal Lopez, who was fired at the nursing home in Streator on Feb. 25, 2007, for trying to organize a union vote. On Lopez' behalf, the National Labor Relations Board has taken the case to court, where the nursing home has admitted her union efforts caused her termination.

Hare's letter, which Ruddick handed to an administrator at the nursing home, said, "I believe that your approach to these negotiations is unfair to both the workers and the residents. Treating their modest proposals with hostility, foot-dragging and derision serves no useful purpose."

Guerrero said worker turnover is high at the nursing home. The union says studies at nursing homes show care is compromised when the staff continually is coming and going.

Ruddick said the union hopes to gain community support and perhaps force Lerner to negotiate with the union on behalf of the Galesburg workers.

Asked if a strike was being considered, he said, "That is absolutely a last resort. We haven't talked about it."