Senator Stewart-Cousins Saves Jobs at the Malotz Nursing Home in Yonkers, Paving the Way for Sale

(Yonkers - August 21st) Senator Stewart-Cousins’ strong leadership skills and her ability to bring people together resulted in an agreement involving the Michael Malotz Skilled Nursing Pavilion in Yonkers. A dispute over wages and benefits for healthcare workers who are members of SEIU 1199 threatened the pending sale of the facility from St. John’s Hospital to Adira Rehabilitation. Senator Stewart-Cousins understands how important it is for workers to be paid good wages, and to have skilled, professional care available to the most vulnerable among us. As a result of the Senator’s intervention and three weeks of tough negotiations, St. John’s was able to move forward with the sale to Adira, and the union announced a contract settlement on August 21, 2015.

"From my perspective, there were too many lives hanging in the balance: the residents who depend on quality nursing home care; workers facing a diminished standard of living; and a hospital straining under the weight of a nursing home it could no longer afford. That's why I felt it extremely important to bring the parties back to the table and help them stay there, until a deal was reached. Now, Adira will provide excellent nursing home care in partnership with 1199 workers, who will maintain their wages and benefits, so St. John's can continue focus on what they do best, providing great hospital care."

Maria Kercado, 1199 SEIU Executive Vice President, thanked Senator Stewart-Cousins for her help. “Fortunately, the settlement indicates that St. John’s and Adira understand what 1199 and our elected officials have been saying along---quality patient care and good jobs are the key to the health and prosperity of our region.”

Ari Stein, the CEO of Adira Rehabilitation said, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Her tireless efforts, concern and support were essential in the negotiation process which brought 1199 SEIU healthcare workers, St. John's Riverside Hospital and Adira at Riverside Rehabilitation to a mutual agreement. Senator Stewart-Cousins has made it possible for Adira at Riverside to pursue its mission to bring a premier rehabilitation center to the members of this wonderful community, while at the same time, giving the members of 1199 the peace of mind and security they deserve.”