LAWRENCE COUNTY Nursing home layoffs to begin

Employees with the least seniority will go first.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County commissioners officially agreed to start cutting staff at the county nursing home.
Commissioner Brian Burick asked that the home's administrator and county human resources director start laying off employees as soon as possible.
Burick said it's unclear how many people will be laid off, but the county will follow state minimum guidelines for staffing.
Commissioners have said nursing homes usually employ 1.1 people per patient.
The county had to take $8,300 from its contingency fund last week to meet employee payroll.
County officials say a declining number of residents without appropriate cuts in staff are causing the problems.
The home has 110 union employees and about 70 residents. Earlier in the year there were more than 90 residents.
What's been discussed
Burick said commissioners had discussed layoffs last year but decided to forgo them when they believed the nursing home would be sold in February.
The sale was postponed for six months when county commissioners realized the union contract required 180 days' notice of any sale.
The sale was expected to be finalized June 30, but that fell through when Sylvan Heights Realty Partners of New Castle did not get their bank financing.
Burick noted that layoffs at the nursing home will be difficult because the union contract calls for people with the least seniority to go first.
There are two bargaining units. One includes the nurses and the other covers the rest of the staff, excluding managers.
He said those with most seniority may have to move to different departments to cover needed services after layoffs are complete.
"It's unfortunate we have to make disruptions now, but since the sale has been delayed, we need to cut costs," Burick said.
Commissioner Ed Fosnaught said he wants to see the layoff list before it is implemented.
"I don't want them to start laying people off and find out we are in violation of our union contract," Fosnaught added.
cioffi@vindy.com