DELHI — Like the proverbial phoenix rising from the ashes, a new nursing home staffed by caring CSEA members recently opened on the grounds of the former Delaware County nursing home, offering hope where none remained after the previous facility’s closure.
Privatization fails
In 2005, the Delaware County Board of Supervisors voted to privatize the county nursing home, then known as Countryside Care Center.
For years, CSEA had warned of the dangers of privatization and actively campaigned against the sale.
While our efforts had delayed the sale, a private operator called Leatherstocking Healthcare LLC purchased and took over the facility in 2006. With no union to represent the interests of the workers or residents, the new owners proceeded to run the home’s operations into the ground over the next six years, including racking up health code deficiencies and citations and ultimately walking away from operating the home.
In 2012, the state was forced to close the facility, leaving everyone involved in a lurch. With few other nursing home beds in the county, residents were sent to other facilities, some outside the county, some out of state.
Anecdotal evidence was given that at least one resident died from the stress of being relocated. Taxpayers were also left holding the bag for over $500,000 owed them from the facility’s sale.
The facility’s demise was difficult for all involved. For the next few years, the facility remained vacant, save the occasional vandal or wild animal and became overgrown with weeds.
New chapter, new hope
In 2015, a new operator, Personal Healthcare LLC, purchased the property, spending roughly $30 million over the next two years to tear down part of the facility and build a new, two-story building, and fully renovate the rest of the existing structure.
The new facility, now called the Delhi Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, opened in early 2018.
Almost immediately, the facility’s workers, some who began their careers at the former county-owned home, decided they needed our union back.
Certified Nursing Assistant Sarah Hood remembered working at the former county home and noticed the stark difference after the nursing home changed ownership and had no union.
“You never knew when your job was going to end,” Hood said about the home, as operated by Leatherstocking.
Forming a strong union
When the new facility opened, Hood was one of the activists who convinced her co-workers that they needed the job security and protection that our union offers.
“I got a bunch of the [workers]to sign cards. I think it’s important to have a union to protect ourselves,” Hood said.
“I know that our union is there to stand with you, protect you and help you. Our union holds everyone accountable.”
Licensed Practical Nurse Jen Ross had previously been a CSEA member as a daycare provider, so she also knew the value of having our union.
“I’ve had the union fight for me, so I know it can be beneficial,” she said.
Housekeeper Cori McCall does laundry for the residents at the Delhi Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
Cori McCall, who works in Housekeeping, became active in our union as a member of the new negotiating committee. Working with CSEA Private Sector Specialist Michael Ottaviano and CSEA Labor Relations Specialist
Tim Moretti, the workers were able to quickly negotiate their first contract, which our members recently ratified.
“We were hopeful that we would get better wages and benefits, and fairness for the workers,” McCall said. “Hopefully, it will be better now.”
Ensuring safety
Our union is also working to ensure safe conditions for workers and residents. Recently, CSEA Occupational Safety and Health Specialist Josh Kemp conducted a facility walkthrough with building manager Bill Law and several union activists.
They discussed setting up a labor-management safety committee, a review of the facility’s workplace violence prevention program, and working cooperatively on a safe patient handling program. Kemp called the visit a “good first step in a positive working relationship to ensure safety for workers and residents.”
Currently the facility is starting small, with only 56 filled beds and fewer than 100 workers, but they are planning on expanding into their new space as beds are filled. The home will ultimately have beds for 176 residents.
Our members at the home hope that with their first contract in place, they can recruit more workers to improve staffing moving forward. For now, they are hopeful about what the future will bring.
“We’re excited to see where it’s going to go,” said Hood.
— Mark M. Kotzin
