Members of the Chautauqua County CSEA were once again in Mayville last week, at right, before a Legislature meeting to voice their displeasure with marketing plans to sell the County Home. Union leaders and workers in this area are concerned about the facility's uncertain future, which is understandable.
To address those concerns, however, Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards has put together seven requirements to those interested in submitting a proposal to take over the home. These requirements benefit those who work at the home as well as current and future residents.
Some of these requirements include:
Current union employees shall be guaranteed offers of employment provided they file an application and pass a background check.
The proposed buyer must include what protections or preferences would be provided with regard to jobs, salary levels and benefits for current employees in various positions, and for what periods of time.
Current residents remain in the facility as long as they wish.
The county has a say in how the home is run in the future.
While not perfect, the request for proposal is binding and does give the county a say in the home's future management. That is far more than what private-sector workers receive whan a company changes hands or decides to close a location.
Edwards also has reached out to the local union president in writing, asking the for a list of solutions that will help the County Home cope with a daily $10,773 operating loss. As of earlier this month, Edwards had received no formal response.
