Demoralized PEF members protest working conditions at Kingsboro PC
By SHERRY HALBROOK
PEF doctors, nurses, social workers and others at Kingsboro Psychiatric Center in Brooklyn wearing red T-shirts with the message “Patients our Choice, Union our Voice” and “We will not be Bullied” rallied outside the facility at noon April 28.
They were joined by their co-workers from the Civil Service Employees Association in protesting deplorable working conditions brought on by inadequate staffing, lack of resources and management bullying of staff that threatens the quality of patient care.
It was the latest effort by the members of PEF Division 252 to improve working conditions and patient care at Kingsboro, which serves the most populous county in the state. Unless conditions at Kingsboro improve, it stands to lose up to $22 million in federal funding.
“We
were told recently that we have passed a survey conducted by The Joint
Commission which accredits hospitals nationally,” said Division 252 Council
Leader Larry Parker. “I believe we passed that survey because of the efforts
of some of our PEF members, especially senior staff here who stepped up and
convinced the surveyors we are providing quality care to the patients in
spite of our problems.”The governor’s recent attempts to withhold pay raises and force employees to take an unpaid furlough day every week have further demoralized and distracted staff at Kingsboro, Parker said.
“We did pass the Joint Commission survey and that’s a healthy sign,” said PEF Executive Board member Gladys Francis, a social work assistant 2 at Kingsboro. “But people are beginning to lose hope of improving the problems of bullying and intimidation. They wonder what’s taking so long.
“For now, people are wearing their red rally shirts on Fridays as a mark of protest.”
“Our members must not lose hope,” said PEF Vice President Pat Baker. “They are standing up for themselves, and we are working with state legislators to recommend solutions for these problems.