On March 4, Carlos Migoya, CEO of Jackson Health System, announced upcoming cutbacks that your SEIU leadership team would like to address.
Mr. Migoya’s e-mail detailed how wage increases, inflation, and expenses have significantly affected operating costs. He also referred to this financial challenge as “the most difficult since 2011.” We are nowhere near another recession like the one we experienced in 2010-2014.
The impression that wage increases are at fault is demoralizing. The union opposes any blame put on necessary market adjustments in management’s decision to conduct reassignments.
The increase in labor costs was warranted to keep pace with market pressures and encourage staff recruitment and retention, significantly contributing to hospital savings. Our market adjustments were well deserved and driven by the market, and a very prudent and just strategy to be more efficient with labor costs.
Perhaps most concerning in Mr. Migoya’s letter is his omission of the real problem regarding this $13 million revenue loss from October 2023 through January 2024, which is the decreased volume in a few service lines.
We met with JHS leadership, who informed us of this financial challenge and validated that the decreased volumes and lack of revenue explained this loss.
Frontline healthcare workers have been delivering outstanding care to our patients. Due to all of our efforts, the length of stay has decreased, and other operational metrics have continued to improve. None of us have anything to do with the diminishing volumes.
Every day, we fight hard for improved working conditions, member empowerment, and fair wages and benefits to continue delivering excellent healthcare to our community. With the impending reassignments, being a part of your union has never been more critical. You should be very proud of the work you do every day.
Thank you for being a SEIU 1991 member!
Mr. Migoya’s Town Hall Zoom:
WHEN: WEDNESDAY MARCH 13,12:00 P.M.
TO JOIN PLEASE USE THIS LINK: