Union urges safety measures at behavioral centers

Union workers at a network of Cape Cod residences for children and adults with emotional and behavioral problems say their organization needs to hire more staffers to keep existing employees safe.

Adult residents at the Latham Centers in Brewster have attacked workers six times in less than a year, in incidents ranging from a flower pot full of dirt thrown at a counselor's head last July to the assault of a counselor and police officer last weekend, a union representative said.

The union, formed in 2003 to represent about 140 counselors, nurses, teachers, and cooks, has been negotiating with management for their first contract since November 2003. The union complains of inadequate staffing and low wages, among other issues.

Many of the counselors, who make an average of $12 an hour, are responsible for caring for three clients at a time without additional help, said Brenda Morecraft, a counselor and union representative. The union wants two staff members working together on all shifts, she said, even if that means caring for more residents.

''Something needs to be done. We're just asking for additional staff in the residences at all times," Morecraft said. ''When a staffer is being attacked, they can't even use the phone to call for help."

Latham Centers serve about 70 clients, equally divided between adults and children, said Anne McManus, executive director.

''We work with children and adults with very serious problems, and obviously providing staffing and care is a priority for us," McManus said. ''Periodically, are there incidents where things occur? Unfortunately, yes. And we take it very seriously, and we staff up when we can."

The counselor who was injured during the flower pot attack could not seek medical help because she was the only employee present, Morecraft said.

Further allegations were made by union representatives.

A week after the flower pot attack, after the union's request for additional staffing was denied, the same client bit the counselor eight times on the arms. The counselor now has nerve damage in one arm and will soon undergo surgery, Morecraft said. Last October, a counselor suffered three broken ribs after trying to restrain a violent resident. There were two counselors on duty at the time watching three residents, Morecraft said. A few months later, a resident tried to choke a staffer who was driving an agency van. In January, a resident threw feces and blood at a counselor.

Approximately 40 percent of staff at the centers has turned over in the last 18 months, she said.

Last weekend, a resident assaulted a counselor as he tried to restrain her. The counselor, who was working alone, had to ask another client to call a different residence for help. But the residence did not have enough staff, so the counselor asked the client to dial 911. When the Yarmouthport police arrived, the resident attacked an officer and was later charged with assault and battery, Morecraft said.

McManus questioned whether the six incidents of assault actually occurred and said Latham Centers adheres by state regulations.

McManus said that the centers do not lack adequate staff and that the unions are focusing on the assaults because of the contentious contract negotiations. ''This is just a response to the union's anxiety over getting a contract signed very quickly," she said.

Latham Centers Inc., which opened in 1970, operates 11 community residences in Brewster, Harwich, Yarmouth, and Hyannis, and a school campus for girls ages 8 to 22 in Brewster. It specializes in treating children and adults with Prader-Willis Syndrome, a genetic disorder that results in mental retardation, emotional and behavioral problems, an insatiable appetite, and slow metabolism.

In addition to more staff, the union is asking for annual cost of living raises and equal monetary compensation for unused breaks. It had hoped to have a contract by April 21, Morecraft said, and will negotiate with management on Friday.

If the contract is not settled, the union will hold a public rally at noon on May 3 in front of Latham Centers administrative offices at 1646 Main St. in Brewster.