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Respect. Dignity. Trust
Caregivers and
consumers benefit when employees RAISE
THEIR VOICES for
quality care.
"The
people literally next door to us who
work at the private ARC do the same
work. They should get the same
pay."
Jeff Roberts, CSEA
member, Central New York
DDSO,
6 years |
 |
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"When
I go back to a house where I used to
work, they are happy to see me.
I know I really meant something to
them. It was the only job in the
area when I started but you grow into
a family. Still, Everyone needs
a union on the job."
Dan Stone, CSEA
member, Developmental Aide
Finger Lakes DDSO
25 years |
"Consumers ask
me every day - one will speak only to
me and no one else. I worry
about them. We're like
family. I'm sure ARC workers
feel the same way. That's why
they deserve the same benefits and
respect that I have as a union
member."
Debbie Dennison,
CSEA member, RN, Doty Day
Habilitation Center,
36 years |
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22,000 ARC
employees do NOT have a voice
Low morale,
high turnover threaten consumer care
More than 25 years ago, New
York State privatized much of it's care for
individuals with mental retardation and
developmental disabilities. The change to
private facilities has had important
consequences for the individuals receiving
care, as well as their families, communities,
and the direct care staff working with them.
The change has meant that
caregivers in these private facilities have
suffered from drastically lower pay and
benefits - incomes that make it nearly
impossible for them to provide for themselves
and their families.
Short staffing is chronic,
causing heightened injury rates among
caregivers, stress and frustration ultimately
leading to burnout and low morale. High
staff turnover has caused the quality of
private care to deteriorate.
The NYS Office of Mental
Retardation and Developmental Disabilities
(OMRDD) has recognized this growing
crisis: its 2005-2006 Budget
Recommendations call for wage and health
increases for staff. Yet, despite
similar recommendations over many years,
caregivers' wages and benefits remain low.
And the problem go much deeper even than
wages and benefits.
To ensure quality care - high morale and
low turnover - direct care staff must have a
voice in determining their wages, hours,
working conditions and in dealing with chronic
short staffing.
ARC employees have tried to make their
voices for quality care heard year after year,
in count after county, by asking that their
private employers bargain collectively with
them. But, in every single case, the
employers instead spent tax dollars to deny
them their rights
If we are going to improve staffing, this
denial of caregivers' rights to make decisions
for themselves, free from employer
interference, must end.
Without a stable, motivated workforce,
individuals with developmental disabilities
cannot receive the quality of care they
deserve That's where
we come in - Quality
Care New York
Get
involved Help
raise the level of care for our consumers in
NY:
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Join the
statewide Advocates for Quality Care
Committee
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Go to our
Web site for additional details: www.qualitycareny.org
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Or call our toll-free
number
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1-800-342-4146 ext. 1400
Support our
legislation calling for parity between
public and private caregiver
compensation. Be on the lookout for more
information about it!
| "When I come to
work and see the consumers happy to
see me, I know they need me. And
with a union, I know I will be there
for them."
Tamika Washington, CSEA member
Developmental Aide
Western NY DDSO
5 years |
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"High staff
turnover does not promote quality
care. I have talked with a lot
of people coming from private
agencies, and the staff turnover
frustrates them."
Candee Termer
CSEA member
Western NY Developmental Center
26 years |
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