STAMFORD -- Just 48 hours before Stamford Health System workers are expected to strike for one day, local and state officials joined them at a rally yesterday to make a last- minute appeal for a contract agreement.

More than 60 dietary workers from Stamford Hospital and more than 100 nursing and service staff from the Tandet Center nursing home are expected to participate in the one-day strike scheduled to begin at 5:30 a.m. Monday.

Brown, who has worked for Stamford Hospital for 12 years, said her $12.81 hourly wage barely stretches far enough to provide for her six children and grandchildren.

Stamford Health System officials said they were disheartened at the decision by members of the New England Health Care Employee Union, District 1199.

"We're disappointed," said Kathleen Silard, senior vice president of operations for the hospital. "We just really want to get back to taking care of our patients."

Outside the hospital's entrance, Democratic Mayor Dannel Malloy praised nearly 30 workers for remaining steadfast in their efforts to seek a new three-year contract.

Malloy was joined by other Democratic politicians, including 4th Congressional District candidate Diane Farrell and recently elected city Rep. Eileen Heaphy.

Union representatives said they made several attempts last weekend to avert the strike, but the hospital denied their requests to negotiate through a federal mediator. Monday's strike will mark the third strike for the union in nearly two years.

"We tried a number of things, but it makes it difficult to reach an agreement if they won't talk to us," union spokeswoman Deborah Chernoff said.

Last month, the union rejected the health system's latest contract offer, arguing it failed to provide workers with adequate pensions and affordable health insurance.

The proposed contract for the hospital's dietary staff included a 3.5 percent wage increase the first year -- the typical increase given to all employees and a 3 percent increase each year following, hospital officials said.

The hospital also agreed to increase its contributions to the pension fund from 6 percent to 8 percent, as well as continue its participation in the union's health insurance plan.

The hospital also said it would extend all of the wages, benefits and protections of the current agreement until the center is taken over by its new owner, HP Acquisitions Inc., a company that owns and operates nursing homes.

But union representatives said the health system has done nothing to guarantee Tandet Center union employees won't lose their jobs once the sale of the center is closed.

"We really had hoped to reach a settlement," Silard said. "The union refused to meet prior to this week and once they call a strike we need to prepare."

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