UW Medicine to furlough about 4,000 workers
SEATTLE (AP) — UW Medicine announced furloughs of about 4,000 members of its unionized workforce in spite of the healthcare-system’s position at the forefront of COVID-19 response efforts both locally and globally.
KOMO-TV reports the decision comes a week after the healthcare-system announced that it was furloughing 1,500 professional staff and classified non-union staff to help address the financial challenges caused by COVID-19.
In a statement, officials said it was necessary to address a $500 million financial impact COVID-19 has placed on UW Medicine.
The healthcare-system says the financial situation is the result of lost revenue at clinics due to the cancellation of elective and non-urgent procedures and surgeries as well as the high cost of treating COVID-19 patients, which includes testing and personal protective equipment.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/uw-medicine-to-furlough-about-4-000-workers/ar-BB14A3ZW?ocid=hplocalnews
