What will be the future of the Le Château nursing home in Châteauvieux? Most likely a closure, but the legal procedure has been bogged down since September and the extraordinary CSE will now only deliver its opinion on January 21, 2025. This will be followed by the decision of the board of directors and information provided to employees probably on January 27 . A wait experienced very badly in Châteauvieux which resulted, Monday, December 16, in a meeting at the nursing home between the management of the Philanthropic Society, owner, and the angry employees. This is evidenced by the banners which welcomed François Labarthe, general director of the Philanthropic Society: “In Châteauvieux, it’s too old so close your eyes”, or even “ We are asking for this meeting to have a decision.”
It is a total incomprehension for the employees, a caregiver asks to reconsider a sentence pronounced in October, and which sounded like an insult to the nursing home: “ The castle is not a jewel, the castle is a ball ». François Labarthe explains that this only concerns the building: “The Castle building is indeed a problem, and does not encompass you at all. » The response from the employees immediately sounded: “We are tired of this situation, we are tired of not having a date, we are tired of seeing residents leave. We just want the negotiations to end, so we can look elsewhere. »
Management specifies that the calendar had been kept, meetings with staff, the CSE and union organizations held. But on December 6, the labor department requested changes to the draft Job Protection Plan, particularly regarding the form and accompanying measures. The Philanthropic Society encourages Châteauvieux employees to apply to other establishments in the group, because 130 permanent positions are available there, but not within 350 km. Many should therefore look elsewhere. François Labarthe specified that once the PSE has been initiated and the activity has ceased, reclassification compensation is provided over twelve months for employees, which is more than what the law requires.
“The closure is not due to the quality of support”
The planned closure of the nursing home is not due to the quality of support, but is the consequence of a building that is currently unsuitable, requiring significant investments that the authorities do not support. The castle was bequeathed with specific conditions, limiting its use. “ The Philanthropic Society made investments that could be considered insufficient, but it made them and for 20 years, it covered the deficits of an establishment which was never in economic balance. Ten years ago, the Department and the regional health agency supported us and there is still a loan to repay”specifies the general director. A loan that the Company will settle alone.
On the personal side, the reality is that some employees had found new jobs. But without formalizing the closure, they had to leave their posts. Others cannot start training. Many worry not only about their future, but also that of residents.
After several hours of meeting, everyone went their separate ways in icy silence. And the employees remain once again waiting.
“We separate families”
The daughter of a resident explains that her mother, in a protected living unit, is affected by this situation: “We are still digesting the news. We have not taken any action to not to flee from the start and to preserve ourselves. It is a unique place that is being destroyed for financial interests, thus separating families. For the employees, it’s more than 30 years of presence and we are destroying an establishment that was caring and professional. This is institutional abuse. »
Another lady feels the same way about her 92-year-old mother. How can we explain to residents that there will be changes, that they will no longer see their caregivers and other residents who have gone to Saint-Aignan, Blois, or Onzain? It is heartbreaking for families and lucid residents. Some elders call the caregivers to check on them, and the latter continue to visit them, the bonds being very strong.
Finally, the little cat Minette, everyone’s companion, will also have to move. One of the employees will take care of her.
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