On March 27, 2018 the York County Commissioners held the final Town Hall meeting to discuss the proposed sale of the Pleasant Acres Nursing Home. The Commissioners reported that of the eighteen for-profit entities that expressed interest in buying Pleasant Acres six submitted bids. Of the six bids the Commissioners have eliminated three bids.

During the public comment portion of the meeting a steady stream of county residents, employees of Pleasant Acres among them, again marched to the podium to voice their concern over the proposed sale. As at the previous meeting a large group of residents from Pleasant Acres were on hand to let the Commissioners know they do not support the sale of their nursing home, many speaking during public comment. One resident had prepared a Power Point Presentation using information from BMJ; publisher of more than sixty medical and science journals, that showed that a systematic review of for-profit vs. non-profit nursing homes and meta-analysis of the evidence suggests that, on average, not-for-profit nursing homes deliver higher quality care than do for-profit nursing homes.

https://www.bmj.com/content/339/bmj.b2732

While no decision on the sale has been made it is clear that the residents of York County don’t favor privatization, the residents of the home don’t favor privatization, and the employees of the home don’t favor privatization.

Please visit the website established to help save Pleasant Acres from privatization by following this link: Save Pleasant Acres. Take a moment to sign the online petition to save Pleasant Acres. Let the commissioners know you reside in York County. If the commissioners ignore the voice of the people now they can be reminded how they didn’t listen to that voice at election time!

Residents were transported from the home to attend the meeting

AFSCME members who went on strike at Cedar Haven Nursing Home in Lebanon after their County Home was privatized and their wages and benefits cut, came out to show support to save Pleasant Acres

Supporters against privatization gathered before the meeting

The line of speakers, all asking to save Pleasant Acres from Privatization, stretched through the meeting room..

And the line grew; as people spoke and sat down more got in line to wait their turn to comment...

Local 776 held their annual DRIVE banquet on March 24, 2018. DRIVE members and their guests were treated to dinner and entertainment for their support of DRIVE.

In his opening remarks Local President Ed Thompson thanked the DRIVE members for their continued support. “You are leading the fight for working families throughout the country. Local politics play an important role in our member’s lives, your contributions to DRIVE enable the Local Union to make workers rights and working conditions goals of the politicians we support. In the past year your DRIVE contributions have helped both democrats and republicans who share our views get elected. Thank you and enjoy your evening!”

After dinner there were short presentations made by our guests:

Shawn Mauck-Mayor of West York Borough and candidate for the PA State Senate 28^th District. For more information on Shawn’s campaign for the State Senate please visit http://www.mauckforsenate.com

Laura Quick-A Local 776 member working at UPS and candidate for Congress in the PA 9^th District. For more information on Laura’s campaign for Congress please visit https://www.quickforcongress.com

Irwin Aronson-Attorney for Local 776.

The evening concluded with entertainment by “Half Serious” More information concerning DRIVE can be found under the “Member Resources” page of the website.

L-R: local 776 Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks, West York Borough Mayor and 28th District Candidate for State Senate Shawn Mauck, Local 776 President Ed Thompson

Local 776 member and Candidate for Congress in the PA 9th District Laura Quick addresses the members

Attorney Aronson always shares a thought provoking speech!

The final public meeting sponsored by the York County Commissoners concerning the sale of the Plesant Acres Nursing Home is scheduled for Tuesday March 27, 2018, beginning at 6:30 PM. This is an important meeting to show the Commissoners that York Countians do not want the nursing home privatized. During the public comment at the last meeting an overwhelming number of County residents went on record with their concerns over the proposed sale. Local 776 Officers, Agents, and members will agin be in attendance. All members are urged to attend this important meeting. Bring your family, bring your friends, bring your neighbors. Show your Teamster Pride: wear Teamster hats, shirts, jackets, anything showing your Teamster "Colors". The Local will have it's truck on site; Gather at the truck prior to the meeting to show your support and we'll all go inside to the meeting together!

The meeting will be held at:

Central York High School, 601 Mundis Mill Road, York PA

For directions follow the link below. Just insert your starting address and you'll be on your way!

Central York High School

For additional information concerning the proposed sale of Pleasant Acres Nursing Home follow the link below:

Save Pleasant Acres

The deadline for applying for the current year's Local 776 scholarships is March 31, 2018. Full details can be found by following the link below, you will also be able to download, view, and print the scholarship application form from the scholarship page.

Local 776 Scholarships

Workers’ Memorial Day is observed in York and Adams Counties on April 28^th to remember workers who lost their lives on their job. The York-Adams Counties Central Labor Council AFL-CIO; York, Pennsylvania sponsors The Richard L. Boyd Workers’ Memorial Day Essay Contest, offering a scholarship to eligible High School Seniors. For details follow the link below:

Essay Contest

On March 7, 2018 the York County Commissioners held the second of three town hall meetings to discuss the proposed sale of the Pleasant Acres Nursing Home. Opening comments centered on the fiscal state of affairs at the home; how the Commissioners had to continually use taxpayer money to finance the home. Next it was stated that there have been 18 for-profit entities that have expressed an interest in buying the home.

Let’s step back for a moment: Any business is operating for one purpose: to make money! Despite any warm feel good slogans or catchwords used to make you feel they are part of you or care for you, the bottom line is Profit-make money. The County Commissioners state that the nursing home continually loses money. Then why would numerous for profit companies want to buy it? The companies will not buy a loser; they want to make money. The nursing home is funded by fixed amounts of federal and state dollars; a for-profit company can’t make a profit by going to these agencies and getting more money. So how do they increase the bottom line? They can’t get more money in- lets cut the money out. Reduce the nursing staff, reduce the support staff, reduce the maintenance staff, reduce the amount spent on upgrades to the facility and equipment, and reduce the level of care the residents receive. Next up would be to reduce wages and benefits to the employees they are already overworking by being under staffed. Once the wages and benefits go so do the long time dedicated employees who have been providing care to your loved ones, replaced by who knows what.

During the public comment portion of the meeting a steady stream of county residents marched to the podium to voice their concern over the proposed sale. A group of residents from Pleasant Acres were on hand to let the commissioners know they do not support the sale of their nursing home.

A website has been established to help save Pleasant Acres from privatization. Please visit the site by following this link: Save Pleasant Acres. Take a moment to sign the online petition to save Pleasant Acres. Let the commissioners know you reside in York County. If the commissioners ignore the voice of the people about the closing they can be reminded how they didn’t listen to the people at election time by being voted out of office! Every employee of Pleasant Acres should sign the petition. Everybody who has ever had a loved one cared for at Pleasant Acres should sign the petition. Every County Resident who themselves may someday need the care provided by Pleasant Acres should sign the petition. The last of the three meetings will be held March 27, at 6 pm at the Central York High School. We hope to see you all there.

The speakers had everyone's attention

One by one York County residents spoke to save the Nursing Home

The line to speak continues to grow

Residents of the nursing home were on hand to tell the commissioners "Not to Sell" our home!

Teamsters members working at Pleasant Acres ARE the spirit of America!

Visit the website, Sign the petition, Let your voice be heard!

Save Pleasant Acres.

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs!

Amsted Rail, the industry leader in freight car components is hiring for their location in Camp Hill, PA. Due to increased business the company has an immediate need to fill the following positions: Machinists, Assemblers, Fork Lift operators, Welders, and Maintenance personnel.

Amsted Rail employees are represented by Teamsters Local 776, all positions are Union scale with a benefits package. Some openings will be for 2^nd and 3^rd shift.

Applications are being accepted at https://www.amstedrail.com

Qualified individuals will be placed on the job as soon as possible after being processed.