Hundreds of health care workers from the 11-99 SEIU union walked out of Maimonides Medical Center Thursday.

They say 117 members were put on notice last week - just days before Thanksgiving.

 

A spokesperson for the hospital tells ny1 the move is for financial reasons, citing flat or declining government reimbursement rates and the rising costs of providing health care. The spokesperson says the hospitals 2018 budget will eliminate a total of 200 union and non-union positions of its 6500 person workforce, targeting areas with the least impact on clinical care.

Union leaders say management could have discussed other cost cost-saving measures, such as a hiring freeze or reducing over-time, instead of dropping the axe on its members.

Coraminita Mahr, Vice president of 1199 SEIU says “we considered ourselves having a strategic relationship where wewould discuss and figure out how to work  issues together.  And that seems to be off the table.”

Protesters told NY1 they feel that management hasn't considered the effect layoffs will have on patient care, or their livelihoods.