This afternoon about 50 of Laurelwood Care Center's former union workers met at Central Park in downtown Johnstown. They brought flyers to hand out to people expressing their concerns about Grane Healthcare which operates Laurelwood Care Center. According to these, now former workers, out of the 60 who went on strike 58 were replaced and 2 were allowed back.

Michelle Flowers, a former Laurelwood Care Center worker spoke with Channel 6 News at the gathering. "They did tell us that we could be permanently replaced but we really didn't care. We're fighting for better staffing, better health care. And we're doing it for them even though they cross. We're doing it for them."

Mark Fox with Grane Healthcare tells Channel 6 News their numbers show that 40 workers went on strike and 20 workers were replaced. Fox says the workers that were replaced can get their jobs back when there's an opening based on seniority. He goes on to say, "During a strike, the facility has to have enough staff to care for its residence under the National Labor Relations Act. An employer has the right to operate and if necessary to hire replacement workers. So that was what was provided to [Laurelwood's workers]."

The workers rally was underway in Central Park in Johnstown Wednesday afternoon when the Johnstown Police showed up to stop them. According to police, they got a 911 call about a group meeting in Central Park for a rally without a permit.

Captain Andy Frear with the Johnstown Police Department tells Channel 6 News "There's no problem with them being in the park. Anybody can come and be in the park. The problem comes if anyone does a speech. They try to get on the gazebo and do their speech from that point. If they're going to block certain parts of the sidewalk, that's where the problem comes in."

The workers decided to stay, abide by police rules and talk to the public.