IN WAKE OF AG’S CHARGES

Focus, CSEA Detail Plans

To Boost Staffing, Wages

By LIBBY CUDMORE • for www.AllOTSEGO.com

INDEX – In the wake of four arrests for neglect over the summer, Focus Otsego and the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) have reached an agreement to increase wages and hire more local staff in an effort to provide better care for residents, according to a media release.

“This is a clear example of our union, our members and the employer working toward a common goal to provide better, high quality healthcare,” said Robert Compani, Director of Private Sector facilities for CSEA.

Under the wage adjustments, an entry-level certified nursing assistant (CNA) will earn a base wage of $12 an hour, which can increase to up to $14.25.

“Our biggest challenge is attracting people earlier in their career so that’s where we felt the need for a pay increase. The professionals who have dedicated themselves to the facility for years tend to stay on,” Focus CEO Joseph Zupnik said. “It seemed only fair to increase the rates at all experience levels.”

Additionally, Focus will offer more training programs, including safe patient handling and other courses specific to job roles. The training, provided by the union, will be offered to union and management.

The company is also considering outsourcing its payroll system to a service such as Cloudpay to ensure that management can instead focus on delivering care and leading staff. To learn more about Cloudpay payroll services, go to cloudpay.net.

The changes come two months after Focus employees LPN Lorraine Caldwell, 54, Holland Patient; LPN Amanda Gus, 30, Hartwick; Sarah Schuyler, certified nurse assistant (CNA), 29, and CNA Donna Gray, 48, Sidney, were arrested and charged with neglecting a 94 year old woman in a recliner for 41 hours over Memorial Day Weekend.

Both the union and company will evaluate results of the program in three months to determine whether it is achieving the expected results. If the program achieves its goal of increasing and stabilizing the workforce, the changes to compensation and training will become permanent.

“Being a local employer is a great privilege,” Zupnik said. “We consider ourselves part of the fabric of the Cooperstown community. So many local families know members of our team and we know those families. We want to remain a part of this community for a long time. This partnership should help assure that happens.”