Members of Camp Recovery Center joined local union representatives and a few politicians this week as they marched with picket signs in front of the Scotts Valley drug and alcohol rehabilitation center to protest wages, benefits and working conditions.
The display Wednesday, Dec. 16, was the latest by workers who chose to unionize in September 2008, but have yet to sign a contract with their employer because of disagreements over pay and benefits.
“We’re going to be pushing this thing,” said Joe Keffer, part of the negotiations team. “We’ve got to get the economics, and we’ve got to get job security.”
The union marched in the spring with similar demands.
The recovery center insists that its ears have been open during the negotiations.
“We are frankly surprised that the union would hold a protest rally to allege that Camp Recovery Center is not acting in good faith in the negotiations,” said acting director John Peloquin in a prepared statement. “The truth is we are working diligently to reach a contract, and have responded promptly to their proposals, meeting 27 times and now weekly. We have been able to achieve tentative agreement on numerous issues, and will continue to bargain in good faith.”
Employees say they are frustrated with the premiums associated with a health care plan the recovery center switched to during the summer.
“They have saddled us with a horrible health care plan,” employee Jason Lubin said.
Lubin, who was diagnosed with sleep apnea during the summer, said the plan requires employees to pay a $750 deductible on medical bills.
Under the old plan, an HMO, he said, he would have owed just a $20 copayment.
County Supervisor John Leopold and Santa Cruz councilmen Tony Madrigal and Don Lane spoke at the rally.
Leaders from the Service Employees International Union have organized the workers and lead the negotiations.
Camp Recovery Center is owned by CRC Health Group, a national company that runs more than 140 rehab centers. Camp offers an intensive 30-day course of treatment for adults and often releases them with post-treatment support programs. It can house more than 75 residents on its 25 acres.
Union organizers said they will fight for a contract until they get what they want: cheaper health care and higher wages.
“We strongly believe there is a correlation between patient care and decent working conditions,” said Kris Younggren, a clinical technician for the center’s adolescent unit.
