October 27, 2009

ITHACA -- Workers at a Tompkins County nursing home are protesting changes they say put their jobs and pensions at risk.
     “All we want is to be able to have a fair contract.  We're tired of giving up,” said Lana Wegner-Harden.
     Wegner-Harden has worked at Lakeside Nursing Home in Ithaca for 16 years.  But she's worried she might not have that job much longer.
     Cayuga Ridge LLC will take over ownership on November 1 -- and employees are being asked to reapply.
     Administrator Pat Deptula says two people from Peregrine Health Management Company -- Lakeside's receiver for the past eight years -- will be part of Cayuga Ridge management.  Deptula says the new company has to start from scratch.
     But 1199 SEIU union representative Baschki Leo says, “This disingenuous game they're playing where they want to say they're new. They're not new -- they're the same people we've bargained contracts with for the last nine years."
     Leo says even if Cayuga Ridge re-hires Lakeside employees, they'll face "poverty level" wage cuts and will have to give up their pensions.
     “Low wages insure that there is constant, constant turnover of staff. And that's not good for family members and the residents that live at Lakeside,” said Leo.
     Deptula says new management would like to keep as many employees as possible, but there's no guarantee.
     Both sides head back to the bargaining table tomorrow.