Howard University Hospital Backs Off on Nursing Cutbacks
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Howard University Hospital
has apparently backed away from planned layoffs of some of its nursing staff
—
at least for now, reports the Washington
Business Journal.
In April, union leaders were told “the Howard University Hospital reduction
in
force is on hold until further notice,” said D.C. Nurses Association staff
attorney Ed Smith. They received the notice following a picket outside the
hospital's entrance protesting what they called failure to follow negotiated
procedures after deciding to lay off nurses (Howard
University Hospital Nurses Hit Street Against RIFS 4/10/ UC).
“DCNA challenged the Hospital’s decision to seek layoffs as shortsighted
and
compromising of patient care,” Smith told Union City. “The public supported
our
picket and, hopefully, Howard University and Howard University Hospital
listened. They can find another way to save money rather than on the
backs of health care professionals and the patients.” photo: at April HUH demo; photo by Chris Garlock