On Saturday, May 11, workers of Aegis Living gathered at the grand opening of the newest Aegis facility, Aegis Living Laurelhurst, to rally for Aegis to complete union contract negotiations and pay its workers a living wage.
Seattle-based Aegis Living is an assisted living facility bringing in more than $200 million in yearly revenue. Aegis increased resident fees this year, but that money isn’t making its way to the people doing the work. Most of the frontline workers at Aegis facilities are getting paid just two-thirds of Seattle’s living wage.
“We’re fighting for fair wages and equal pay for all staff, which will mean safer staffing and better quality of care for the residents,” said Gurnesh Chetty, a worker at Aegis Ravenna. “It’s time for Aegis management to meet us at the bargaining table.”
Aegis is a high-end facility that settled for $16.25 million with Washington and California residents after a class-action lawsuit claiming that Aegis Senior Communities LLC violated consumer protection and elder abuse laws by misleading residents and families about staffing levels.
“Aegis workers have been fighting for their union contract since March of 2023. It’s long past time for Aegis to meet workers at the bargaining table and pay them a living wage,” said Sterling Harders, President of SEIU 775. “The 50,000 caregivers of SEIU 775 across Washington, Montana, and Alaska are with them every step of the way.”
Low pay for workers and short staffing can mean compromised care for residents – who are paying thousands of dollars a month to Aegis.