Pay plans pitched for Suffolk nursing home workers

The administration of Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy Thursday pressed for approval of the $36-million county nursing home sale by laying out a menu of options that would pay $10,000 to $15,000 to county workers who are displaced or take lower-paying jobs with the new owner.

Deputy County Executive Kenneth Crannell presented to the legislature's health committee five transition pay scenarios that would last a year and cost $2 million. The moves would aid about 230 of the 265 nursing home workers who would not have jobs in the county health department.

At the same time, Levy in a letter threatened to go to court if presiding officer William Lindsay does not hold two hearings in the next week on the sale of the nursing home as required under a 2008 legislative resolution. Lindsay said, "That ain't going to happen," but he said he will seek a vote for two hearings in August when a new appraisal is done and budget aides finish an analysis of the sale.

Officials said John J. Foley Skilled Nursing Complex buyer Kenneth Rozenberg will appear at Tuesday's county legislature meeting in Riverhead to answer questions from county lawmakers about the controversial deal. Critics have questioned whether the new owner will keep many long-term patients Foley now serves.

Crannell said the sale of the nursing home is essential to help the county close a looming $150-million budget gap by netting $20 million and avoiding $8 million to $10 million in annual operational costs.

But some nursing home workers have questioned the savings estimates. "These number are just as credible as those coming out of Bernie Madoff's office," said Christopher Destiso, a veteran nursing home worker.

Crannell said there had been no talks with the county union about the transition pay because they wanted to approach lawmakers first. Beyond transition pay, he said, each employee would also receive two weeks of vacation, and separation pay when the deal is finalized in 2011. Union officials later said they will review county proposals.

An option suggested by Legis. Thomas Barraga (R-West Islip) to Levy would give $10,000 to each worker leaving Foley, and for remaining workers subsidize the difference between the current pay and the lower pay of the private operator for one year.