Increase pay for staff at rest homes
Where have all the honorable men gone?
It seems like the history of government in Montana, with the exception of a few outstanding statesmen along the way, has been one where corruption and greed have been in the saddle, with bribery, theft, and violence not far behind.
I am a veteran and patient at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls. About six months ago I wrote some letters to the issue of the adverse working conditions and less than poverty wages affecting the quality of care being given. At this time members of the Montana Veterans Home staff are asking for help from Governor Schweitzer and the members of the state government in attaining fair wages and some common sense revision in rules that will help veterans get the best possible care there. This letter is being written in support of that request.
Part of the problem is the shameful fact that the regular staff at the Montana State Veterans Home is being paid less than beginning level wages in the private sector, at the same time, agency personnel are being hired to fill open slots in the work rosters. I am told that some agency employees are being paid 3 to 4 dollars more per hour than regular staff members and with travel mileage and lodging perks as well. This becomes a rather expensive procedure with long distance being traveled across the state to fill these positions on a daily basis. The practice of mixing regular Montana Veterans Home staff members with agency personnel filing in open spots on the roster has a devastating effect on the quality of care being provided to our veterans.
Regular staff members at the veterans home are aware of what needs to be done on their stations and perform their jobs very efficiently, especially if they can team up with other regular staff members who are equally as knowledgeable of their job duties. When agency personnel come into a familiar job situation, they need to be tutored on the spot by the regular staff members regarding the particulars of their assignment.
The effect of the low wages for the regular Montana Veterans Home plus the competitive advantages the agencies have in this situation at the Montana Veterans Home result in frequent "no shows" for work shifts, or regular staff members quitting to go to better paying jobs. This results in an almost constant condition of working "shorthanded" at the Montana Veterans Home. The quality of care to veterans declines as people become unsure of themselves and nervous regarding what needs to be done. The structure, guidelines and mutual support of a regular staff are missing.
Citizens of Montana! You should be outraged by this situation for several reasons:
1. That our veterans who have given everything for their country have not been getting the best possible care.
2. That the regular staff members who are loyal, dedicated and caring employees are being stiffed by that state while it has the funds to pay them a fair wage.
3. To smell the "hanky panky" coming through with the fact that agency people can earn 3 to 4 dollars more per hour than the regular staff wage and are traveling clear across the state with travel pay and lodging perks.
The state has the best of both worlds: while it pits the private sector (agency groups) against it's own employees, keeping them in line with low wages and controlling tactics at the same time it is catering to the right wing private sector (agencies) with liberal pay, travel pay and perks. It is avoiding having to pay them medical insurance, retirement and other benefits.
Citizens of Montana! Demand that Governor Schweitzer and the state of Montana implement the changes Montana Veterans Home staff is requesting that would give the kind of wages and working conditions they deserve. Let us see honorable men again on the "big sky" horizon.
Respectfully yours,
"Tobasco Jack"
John E. "Jack" Prevol