UFCW Local 342 Holds Press Conference at Ozanam Hall to Address Hour Cuts, Resident Care Concerns

May 18, 2012 - PRLog -- Bayside, Queens – On Friday, May 18th, UFCW Local 342, the union that represents over 400 nursing home workers at Ozanam Hall in Bayside, Queens, together with New York State Assemblyman Rory Lancman, RWDSU Local 338, and concerned union staff from the Catholic Home, publicly signed a letter that calls upon Bishop of Brooklyn Nicholas DiMarzio to intervene on behalf of the residents by ending the Home’s damaging staffing policies, as well as their efforts to reduce the regular full-time work week from 37.5 to 35 hours. The public outcry from the union and community leaders comes only after numerous attempts to convince the management of Ozanam Hall that their policies to not fill sick calls, and also bargain for a shorter work week, are putting resident care at risk. Over the last month, Local 342 has already reached out to Bishop DiMarzio several times for help, but disappointingly, the Bishop has yet to respond. Additionally, the union has been negotiating with Ozanam Hall since 2010 for a new contract, but the Home has refused to offer fair wage increases or consider the impact that reducing the regular full-time work week will have on the residents and the union workers.

In an attempt to justify their policies and bargaining position, Ozanam Hall has claimed that they are experiencing “financial hardship.” However, Local 342 released a financial report to the media prepared by an expert accountant, which shows that the Home has approximately $55 million in reserve accounts and nearly $29 million in liquid finances. “Ozanam Hall’s financial situation hardly qualifies as a hardship,” said Kate Meckler, the union’s Director of Communications. “This Home needs to keep their facility properly staffed and give the workers fair wage increases so that the residents can receive the best possible care and the workers can take care of their families. It is time for Ozanam Hall to stop using their exaggerated financial position as an excuse,” she added. In support of Local 342, RWDSU Local 338 President John Durso, through a representative, echoed Meckler’s thoughts. “Preserving top notch resident care and giving the union members who work at the Home fair wages, as well as the hours necessary to do their jobs properly should be the Home’s number one priority. Local 338 will stand with Local 342 in their fight to protect the residents and their union members,” Durso stated.

Motivated by the drop off in resident care and deteriorating working conditions, two union members who work at the Home stepped up and courageously shared stories with the media about their recent experiences. Donna Andrews, a CNA who has worked at the Home for 12 years, spoke about how Ozanam Hall’s new policies have impacted her ability to care for the residents. “It is very hard to do all the work when the sick calls are not filled,” Andrews said. “Residents are being served dinner late, put to bed late, and are not being taken care of in a timely manner because we do not have enough workers to cover everything. It will only get worse if they reduce our hours,” she stated. Cheryl Van Putten, a CNA who has worked at the Home for 17 years, agreed with Andrews' sentiments. “Having to take care of more residents while trying to give the same care they deserve is impossible,” Van Putten said.  “Even though I am working harder and doing my best to help the residents, the staffing cuts are not allowing me to give the residents the same amount of attention I would like to receive myself if I were in their situation,” she concluded.

In response to the stories shared by these brave union members, New York State Assemblyman and Congressional candidate Rory Lancman said, “Ozanam owes its well deserved reputation for delivering quality care to its residents to its dedicated and well-trained workers.  They deserve a fair contract with adequate staff hours for themselves and for the patients that they care for.”

Currently, Local 342 has already had a strike vote, which has been approved by the members working at the Home, but as of this moment, the union has not revealed any information about future strike plans. “The members are willing to do whatever is necessary to maintain proper care for the residents and get what they deserve. That is all we will say at this time,” Meckler concluded.