This article is reprinted from the Speak Out Now healthcare newsletter at Highland Hospital in Oakland, CA.
There have been no changes regarding the June 30th date for the first round of layoffs. Even though multiple people have retired or left, AHS intends to proceed with cuts. How does that math make sense?
Also, no real progress seems to have been made at the ad hoc committees between the county, the unions, and AHS. Were these meetings simply a way to defuse worker outrage while creating the appearance that something was being done to save jobs?
Now, a second round of layoffs is in the works. According to slides at a Board of Trustees meeting, AHS is planning for the layoff of 200 more FTEs next fiscal year (beginning in July). This means likely more than 200 employees will be let go, since many are part time. This is supposed to save AHS $44 million.
Yet, according to the notes from last month’s Finance Committee meeting, AHS projects a $17.8 million loss in next year’s budget due to HR1 and other federal funding changes. So where is the extra $26.2 million going?
AHS has been so dead set on using these federal cuts as the reason for all these layoffs, but the math doesn’t add up!
Click here to read the article printed in the 06-03-26 Highland Newsletter
