Foley home's union hasn't helped
Three of the John J. Foley Skilled Nursing Facility's 195 patients were moved to other long-term care centers in Suffolk on March 28, 2013. Credit: Bill Davis
The Suffolk County Association of Municipal Employees' letter ["Foley facility didn't get a fair chance," Dec. 26] confirms how delusional the union is on this issue.
The letter claims that "the union did an enormous amount" without specifying a single giveback in salary or benefits, which far exceed their private sector counterparts.
The union blames the facility's losses on bad management while ignoring the fact that every single publicly owned nursing home in the state runs a deficit, primarily because the public sector's rules, salaries and benefits are so restrictive.
Four new managers tried to stem the losses over the past two years; none of them could. These losses can be a thing of the past if the County Legislature approves the sale to a reputable owner, who will give the county $36 million, absolve us of future losses, guarantee that all patients will remain in their beds and offer most employees continued employment.
Instead of sitting on the sidelines, the union should embrace the sale, which saves the employees, the patients and the taxpayers.
Jeffrey L. Tempera
Editor's note: The writer is the director of the Suffolk County Office of Labor Relations.
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