Workers locked out of Elmhurst nursing home

Crowds of angry workers have picketed every day outside a Queens nursing home since management locked them out in what they claim is a union dispute.

The housekeeping and laundry staff at the Elmhurst Care Center said management threatened to fire them if they didn't accept steep pay cuts, forfeit sick and vacation days and sign with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 300S.

Those who refused were locked out of the center on Dec.1, the demonstrators said. The picketing began immediately and has continued each day since then.

Nursing home fury: Locked-out workers protest cuts ultimatum