A federal bankruptcy court gave five Connecticut nursing homes permission Monday to change their collective bargaining agreements with union workers who recently returned from a strike.

According to HealthBridge, the company that manages the five homes, the ruling will allow the centers to pay the returning union employees at rates similar to those for non-union workers.

Connecticut law enforcement officials are investigating accusations that union workers allegedly sabotaged the nursing homes before walking out on strike, possibly putting residents in danger.

Despite his advocacy for laws against elder abuse, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-CT, attended a rally with the workers when they returned to work after the eight-month strike.