FLIERS GIVEN OUT AT NURSING CENTER

Two members of the Service Employees' International Union handed out fliers Thursday outside Cape Girardeau Nursing Center, 2852 Independence.

The fliers cited reports from Beverly Enterprises, the company that owns Cape Girardeau Nursing Center, and the Missouri Department of Social Services, saying the nursing facility was "unnecessarily restraining patients."

Officials from Beverly Enterprises deny the allegations by the Food & Allied Service Trades, or FAST of AFL-CIO, the union organization that issued the report. They said FAST continues its attempt to organize Beverly employees at 35 nursing homes in Missouri and the report is a tool in its endeavor.

Service Employees' International Union, or SEIU, is a subsidiary group of FAST.

Vice president of operations for Beverly Enterprises Jerry Halley said in a press release that FAST's report had no merit.

"We believe the company has the leading quality assurance program in the long-term care field," he said. "The union's report is issued and promoted by a union experienced in using some very effective -- although highly misleading -- tactics."

An official at the Cape Girardeau Nursing Center declined to speak with a reporter Thursday.

Employees didn't take fliers from the SEIU representatives during shift changes at the care facility. Many employees said administrators instructed them not to be seen talking to the union representatives or members of the media.