About 45 medical technicians at Santa Rosa (Calif.) Memorial Hospital could lose their jobs, according to The Press Democrat.
The hospital, part of St. Joseph Health-Sonoma County, issued layoff notices to these employees, which include more than 24 unionized nursing assistants. However, hospital officials said they seek to prevent the layoffs through "creative solutions," such as a proposed shift change, according to the report. Under the proposal, nursing assistants would work 12-hour shifts rather than eight-hour ones.
Dan Martin, secretary-treasurer of the National Union of Healthcare Workers, took issue that employees received layoff notices before discussions about alternatives, according to the report.
Santa Rosa Memorial spokesperson Vanessa DeGier countered that the hospital followed all necessary legal and labor contract requirements. She also reiterated that the layoffs are not final, and the hospital seeks to help reduce potential layoffs by realigning jobs.
Union and hospital officials continue to hash out the issue.
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