In Florida, Jackson Health System announced furloughs for 11,000 workers, while in the midst of negotiations with SEIU. The union lamented the move as a cheap shot, stating, “We believe this is an illegal action and cannot be implemented. It is merely a bargaining maneuver that he [Chief Executive Carlos Migoya] probably thinks will cause the employee unions to meet his demands for concessions.” Speaking of the protracted negotiations, Migoya said the measure was necessary to adhere to the balanced budget demanded by the public hospitals board and the County Commissioner. “In the absence of an agreement on concessions, we have an obligation to control short-term costs by other means,” Migoya.
At another public hospital across the country in Washington State, Olympic Medical center secured an injunction preventing SEIU 1199NW from striking. According to Chief Executive Officer Eric Lewis, a strike would have cost the hospital $600,000, and a judge ruled that a strike against the public hospital system was against state law. OMC had already settled a contract with its UFCW contingent last month, but the ever-obstinate SEIU has been unwilling to reach agreement at the bargaining table.
