ROCKFORD Janice Purifoy is passionate about her job as a certified nursing assistant, and she hopes that passion is indicative of the need for a better contract for her and her fellow union workers.

Purifoy, whos worked 13 years as a CNA at Alden Debes Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Rockford, joined other members of Service Employees International Union Healthcare Illinois on the picket line Wednesday outside Alden.

SEIU represents health care, child care, home care and nursing home workers in the Midwest. Purifoy and other nursing home employees in Illinois have worked without a contract since Dec. 31.

More than 2,000 workers were expected to join picket lines at 50 nursing homes, according to union officials. A common chant Wednesday was No contract, no peace.

Purifoy and Celena Clark, whos worked 7 years as a CNA at Alden Debes, are hoping to see some increase in pay without losing earned vacation time, which they said has been a point of contention during negotiations.

Theyre also concerned about staff turnover, which they worry affects the quality of patient care. We love what we do, and were just trying to get the message out that we deserve a fair contract, Purifoy said.

Union officials said contract talks are expected to resume Thursday.

Alden Debes is a member of the Illinois Association of Health Care Facilities a nonprofit group of more than 375 licensed and certified long-term care facilities and programs and a statement released by Alden Debes said the group has been negotiating with the union in good faith to renew the contract.

We are disheartened by the picketing and inflammatory comments made by the union in an effort to disrupt the ongoing negotiations, the statement reads. Alden wants to assure our residents and community that we will continue to provide quality care and services during the ongoing talks.

Melissa Westphal: 815-987-1341; at mwestpha@rrstar.com; @mlwestphal

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Health care workers picket in Rockford for fair contract