In the letter, employees asked Ms. Sitarik to stop the pay cuts and guarantee changes in pay and benefits will not happen in the future. The employees also asked for full transparency to the cost-cutting plans and a timeline of the process, according to the report.
Orlando Health announced plans to cut differential pay for employees working nights, weekends and holidays in August, and the changes are set to happen in October. The health system has been affected by reduced Medicaid reimbursements and has been working on restructuring since November 2012. As part of the restructuring, Orlando Health plans to eliminate 400 jobs in the system.
The layoffs and the announced pay cuts have led to employee unrest, and employees are considering unionizing as a result. In the letter to Ms. Sitarik, employees also asked Orlando Health to agree to a fair process for employees to decide on unionizing, according to the Orlando Business Journal.
Katie Dagenais, Orlando Health’s media relations manager, told the Orlando Business Journal that the pay cuts are “critical” for the system’s financial future and they will save jobs down the line. She also said the system is open to employee input and has been meeting with employees. Ms. Dagenais also added, “Our hospitals, employees and patient care benefit from a close, respectful and direct relationship between our leaders and caregivers. We do not believe unionization promotes that relationship or supports our efforts to provide quality, affordable care to our patients.”
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