White Plains CitizeNetReporter - Medical Center Calls Out Police to Protect Against CSEA News Conference

WPCNR HEALTH NEWS. By Westchester County Roving Correspondent Nancy King. January 31, 2012: CSEA workers at the Westchester County Medical Center held another press conference Tuesday. Workers who attended were mostly employed at the Behavioral Health Center and who were recently laid off from their positions after BHC was privatized by Liberty Health Care Corporation. This time, there are about 150 jobs on the chopping block, although Liberty and the WMC have invited current employees to re-apply for their jobs. According to Patrick Roche, a Senior Psychiatric Aide who has been employed by the WMC for 29 years, he would be eligible to retain his employ at the new hourly rate of 15.00. He would also have the opportunity to purchase his healthcare through an HMO. Westchester Medical Center Employees currently do not contribute to their health care benefits. According to union leaders John Staino and Peter Piazza, negotiations with the Medical Center are at an impasse following a breakdown in talks with NYNSA (nurses union). CSEA leaders expressed dismay that even after they offered concessions in their contract negotiations, hospital brass declined to meet to find a resolution to the problem. Union leaders and those employees of the Behavioral Health Center, distributed a flier today citing a long history of problems that Liberty Health Care has had while overseeing other facilities. Reports of high turnover rate, salaries that may be as low as 12.00 an hour and unsupervised patients were highlighted in the document. However, the most unusual aspect of this press conference was the presence of not only three County Police Cars and officers, but a presence also by a number of the Medical Center’s own security staff. Further away from the press conference, administrative staff could be seen in small groups observing the conference. County Police Officers, explained to President Staino that because there was no permit filed, they would be unable to conduct the press conference on hospital property or on the road directly across the street which is Westchester County owned property. In the meantime, it appears that Westchester Medical Center in its entity as a public benefits corporation is being disassembled one piece at a time. Prescription for Westchester residents; don’t get sick.


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