This might be the best day of the year to consider labor relations in long-term care.
For many workers, May Day is cause for celebration. But given its precarious roots (inspired by violence) and current patrons (unions), it should hardly be surprising that the sentiment is far from universal.
I’m not here to argue either side’s talking points. But I do think that this is probably as good a time as any to size up where things stand. And to perhaps offer a staffing proposal that might fuel improvement.
As for the current state of labor relations in our field, the reality is pretty obvious: It stinks. Many operators live in mortal fear their workers will organize. And more than a few unions are doing their level best to make such fears reasonable.
But union concerns are only a small part of the dysfunctional dynamic.
Let’s face it, frontline work in long-term care is hard. It’s hard physically. It’s hard mentally. And quite often, it’s hard psychologically.
Plus, if we’re going to be honest, such work doesn’t pay particularly well. How do we know? Well, if your workers are leaving because the prospect of flipping burgers or stacking shelves is more appealing, your wages are, well, poor.
Yet, it’s not hard to see why paychecks are consistently meager in long-term care. For despite relatively low pay, labor costs remain the largest single expense at most facilities. Small surprise then, that unfilled positions are the norm.
So how do we fix chronic understaffing, or at least make it a bit less problematic?
For what it’s worth, here’s my suggestion.
First, create a new visa category for nurses and nurses’ aides. Qualified foreigners would be eligible. Their perk? Entry to the US for five years, and a fast-track to citizenship. The catch: They must remain employed.
Second, give participating nursing homes a nice tax break.
It’s hardly a mystery why facilities would benefit. Full staffing and lower taxes? Not a bad deal.
Nor is it hard to see how the arriving employees would gain. Better paying jobs and a chance to snap off a piece of the American Dream? Many foreigners have taken bigger risks for much less.
But let’s get real. This staffing proposal and approach have just about zero chance of actually happening.
Too many people would oppose this kind of change, right? As if current conditions are something that should be preserved and protected.
John O’Connor is editorial director for McKnight’s.
Opinions expressed in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News columns are not necessarily those of McKnight’s.
