CSEA agreement means Country Manor residents can celebrate holidays at home

HERKIMER, NY (12/24/2013)(readMedia)-- HERKIMER -Herkimer County seniors will be able to celebrate the holiday season at home thanks to a last minute deal between CSEA and Advanced Healthcare Management that saves the Country Manor Adult Care Facility from being closed.

The county legislature had threatened to shut down the nursing home at 5 p.m. on Dec. 27 unless CSEA and the new owner were able to reach agreement over future operations at the facility by that deadline. CSEA accused the legislature of playing politics with the lives of residents of the home and began talks with Advanced Healthcare Management to keep legislators from closing the home down.

"We're happy to have been able to spoil the legislature's Grinch-like plan to put seniors out on the street during the holidays," said CSEA Central Region President Colleen Wheaton.

The agreement between CSEA and Advanced Healthcare Management provides for all current employees to continue employment with the new owner at their current salaries. Advanced Healthcare Management has also agreed to recognize CSEA as the collective bargaining agent for the workers and the union said negotiations will begin shortly over workers' terms and conditions of employment.

Despite believing the home should remain public, CSEA knew allowing the legislature to close it down would be devastating to residents and agreed to discussions with the new owner in hopes of reaching an agreement that preserves the quality and continuity of their care.

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