Hospital, union discuss layoffs

Local News

Discussion

July 28, 2010

Benefits extension, job preference keys in meeting

KATIE BRANDENBURG The Independent The Daily Independent Wed Jul 28, 2010, 11:00 PM EDT

ASHLAND — Representatives from the Service Employees International Union are asking for extended health benefits and a hiring preference for employees laid off from King’s Daughters Medical Center on Tuesday.

Rob Johnson, Hospital Division director of the SEIU, District 1199, said the union is asking that laid off workers be given the opportunity to apply for any open positions at the hospital before anyone else. Officials are also asking that KDMC pay to extend the health insurance benefits of laid off employees for another month.

KDMC laid off 87 SEIU union-member employees and an unknown number of non-union employees on Tuesday. The SEIU District 1199 represents 661 KDMC employees, according to a press release.

Johnson said the discussions started at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday and was expected to last into the evening.

The meeting comes after complaints from the union that KDMC violated a collective bargaining agreement that includes giving union members seven days notice before a layoff.

Union member Brian Johnson, a former KDMC maintenance worker, said he got a phone call at about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday telling him he was being laid off and asking him to come in to turn in his badge and clean out his locker.

At a meeting of union members Tuesday evening, Brian Johnson said he hoped the meeting between the hospital and the union would mean he could get his job back.

Clint Salmons, a distribution clerk at KDMC and board member for the local SEIU chapter, said he found out about layoffs through word of mouth on Tuesday. Salmons said he kept both his job and his hours, but many of his coworkers weren’t as lucky.

He said at the union meeting Tuesday that advance notice of layoffs and cuts in hours would have allowed workers to save money and arrange schedules in preparation for the changes.

“You hear rumors, but you don’t act on rumors,” Salmons said.

Rob Johnson said officials have been unresponsive to questions about hospital finances during the meeting.

KDMC declined to comment on the meetings, but released the following statement:

“Our focus today is on taking care of patients and taking care of our team members. We stand by the statement we released yesterday.”

KDMC sent out a press release on Tuesday stating that layoffs were necessary because of financial difficulties during the economic recession, including close to $100 million in unreimbursed care and bad debt.

An SEIU press release on Wednesday stated that KDMC’s 2009 audited financial statement lists hospital profits at about $31.6 million.

“They can’t prove that to us,” Johnson said about claims of financial hardship.

KDMC is Ashland’s top employer, with more than 4,200 employees. In 2008, the hospital’s employees represented more than 14 percent of overall city employment.

On Tuesday, Rob Johnson said he also plans on filing a grievance with the National Labor Relations Board, but the first step in the process is to discuss the grievance with the employer.

KATIE BRANDENBURG can be reached at kbrandenburg@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.

Text Only

Local News

Shepherd hopes to make ruling Tuesday
A Franklin circuit judge said Monday he hopes to issue a ruling by Tuesday on some lawmakers’ challenge to a state legislative redistricting plan passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Steve Beshear.

February 6, 2012
SLIDESHOW: Giants beat Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI The New York Giants won their fourth Super Bowl and eighth NFL championship Sunday in Indianapolis, scoring in the final minute to defeat New England 21-17.
February 6, 2012 1 Photo
APD receives various theft reports
The following information was taken from Ashland Police Department reports:

February 6, 2012
Russell team takes rival in regional
Russell Middle School academic team coach John VanHoose said everyone was feeling the pressure from season-long rivals Verity Middle School as members worked to claim top scores during Saturday’s Region 18 Middle School Governor’s Cup competition.

February 6, 2012
Family traditions
Ralph Stanley II doesn’t complain when people talk about his daddy.

February 6, 2012
KSP trooper to perform in tribute concert
A Kentucky State Police trooper will trade his gray uniform for a sequined white jumpsuit next month to raise money to assist a cancer patient and several other causes.

February 6, 2012
What's happening: 2/6/12
The Kyova branch of the Boyd County Public Librart will host the Tax-Aide Program, conducted by the American Association of Retired Persons, from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays.

February 5, 2012
Spirit strong for community event
Ashland’s Community Souper Bowl Party was so spirited, many in the crowd didn’t even realize there was a football game on the big screen.

February 5, 2012
Old union hall wall gives way
City workers in Catlettsburg were called to an emergency situation a few minutes before kickoff of the Super Bowl on Sunday when the front wall of an old union hall collapsed onto Main Street, according to Mayor Randal Peterman.

February 5, 2012
Mom, daughter share Scouting experience
After 13 years with the Girl Scouts, Chrissy Moore said she still likes to wear her vest, and she’s particularly proud of the patches and badges she’s collected.

February 5, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

Hospital, union discuss layoffs

Benefits extension, job preference keys in meeting

Site Map

Contact Us