MASSENA -- Citing a “legal obligation,” the union representing a large number of Massena Memorial Hospital employees are demanding MMH privatization be left to the voters, not the Town Council.

“Massena has a legal obligation to allow town residents to decide the future of their public hospital, and even more importantly, a moral one,” said CSEA Central Region President Colleen Wheaton. “After all, they were the ones who voted to create it, and they are the true owners of their hospital.”

On Wednesday, the council will vote whether or not to privatize MMH, which is one of only two municipal hospitals in the state.

Wheaton made the comment in a prepared statement, which does not reference any specific law binding the town to leave the decision to a referendum.

She said MMH workers who are members of CSEA are circulating petitions and advocating for residents to attend the meeting and oppose any transition.

“Hospital workers and other supporters of keeping the hospital publicly owned and operated are currently circulating petitions to gather signatures of town residents in favor of holding a public referendum vote over the hospital’s ownership,” Wheaton said in a prepared statement. “They are urging town residents to attend Wednesday’s Town Council meeting to support keeping the hospital public.”

Although MMH has been making money, the razor-thin profits will not give them what they need to expand services, Town Supervisor Joseph Gray said. In addition to that, they can’t affiliate with other hospitals because of their municipal status, Wollebin said in November.

“If we continue the way we’re doing, we will make small profit but won’t be able to invest in the business and allow it to be competitive. Something has to give,” Gray said. “I think that’s why Wollebin wanted to move now … it could take six months to a year before it will be final.

“It’s what we’ve said from day one. Our goal is to ensure the long-term viability of MMH, whatever it takes.”

Wollebin said in November that municipal status prohibits MMH from affiliating with larger hospitals, which could bolster their coffers and create jobs. He said if they privatize, there will be a commitment to keep more than 300 full-time equivalents.

“We will commit for three years that it won’t go below 345 (full-time equivalents),” Wollebin said Nov. 18.

Wheaton said if the hospital becomes a private, non-profit entity, services will suffer and employees could see lower pay.

“CSEA has long argued against privatizing the hospital’s ownership, citing potential healthcare services lost, and a loss of public accountability for hospital operations,” she said in the statement. “The union also worries a new ownership model would lead to lower pay and benefits for hospital workers, which could have an adverse impact on employee turnover and patient care, and a negative impact on the area economy.”

Gray anticipates the MMH vote to take place at the Dec. 17 Town Council meeting. It will be at 5:30 p.m. in the town hall’s second floor boardroom.