If a decision to sell the Chautauqua County Home is made later this week, the leadership of the CSEA can take some of the blame.
Despite requests for concessions by a number of members who work at the Home, CSEA has apparently refused to be a part of that discussion. In fact, top CSEA officials have told some County Home workers to end any discussion regarding concessions.
Imagine that. Union leadership accepting dues but not listening to its membership. Now those workers at the Home powerlessly await Thursday's meeting regarding what the County Legislature will decide regarding the Home's fate.
While many who favor continuing county ownership of the deficit-bound Home would like to believe a sale will be the legislature's fault, even the Center for Governmental Research recommended that for the Home to be saved, union concessions in salaries and benefits were going to have to be part of the equation. As it stands now, salaries and benefits at the Home make up about 66 percent of the expenses.
CSEA leadership, in that sense, has not stepped up to the plate despite pleas from some of its members who work at the Home.
That decision by leadership may be best for a majority, but it may not benefit other longtime dues-paying members at the Home.
