5 p.m.5 p.m. update

A protest by union workers at the Veterans Home of California at Yountville in front of the facility to show their feelings about staff shortages and poor pay never materialized.

The protest was set to take place in advance of the 2 p.m. hearing today at the State Capitol on the need for an audit of all activities at the Vets Home.

Union spokespersons claim professional staff at the Vets Home are dealing with a lack of help and pay that is 20-40 percent lower than similar positions with the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

"Short staffing due to this pay inequity has created a vicious cycle of forced overtime, burn-out and some violence directed at staff," notes the union in a press release.

State Sen. Pat Wiggins, D-Santa Rosa, said Monday she is seeking a probe into health care at the sprawling facility where 1,200 veterans reside.

Wiggins cited reports from residents and staff at the home of disabled residents left lying in their own waste, poor treatment of visually-impaired veterans and the inadequacy of medical equipment, sometimes resulting in inflaming injuries and death.

Check back here later in the day for a report on the 2 p.m. hearing at the Capitol.