成人X站

MYNORTHWEST NEWS

MultiCare to lay off over 220 employees due to ‘financial challenges’

Jun 29, 2023, 2:58 PM

MultiCare layoff...

MultiCare's Auburn Medical Center facility (成人X站 7)

(成人X站 7)

MultiCare Health System will lay off more than 220 employees in the state of Washington, the company announced Thursday. That includes some workers in the Puget Sound region.

The company will part with 229 employees, about 1% of its 23,000 staff members including two dozen leaders, “in an ongoing effort to reduce the health system’s expenses,” in a press release.

More employment news: Microsoft layoffs impact over 150 jobs; no raises for employees

Employees working in the marketing, IT, and finance departments make up most of the layoffs. The layoffs will be spread across the Puget Sound, Inland Northwest, and Yakima regions.

Managers claimed the pandemic and inflation continually hurt profit margins alongside Medicaid reimbursement rates stagnating within the state for nearly two decades.

“The decision to eliminate staff is never an easy one, and it is not an effort that we undertake lightly,” MultiCare CEO Bill Robertson said in a prepared statement. “These reductions are unfortunately necessary as MultiCare works to address our financial challenges. They were made after a thoughtful review of our operations and with the charge that any changes made must help ensure we can continue to care for our patients now, as well as be able to serve our communities in the future.”

No fun at Funko: Company moves from Everett, heads south

Through May, MultiCare has lost $121 million after recording a loss of $287 million in the previous year.

“Staff reductions are one component of the organization鈥檚 efforts to bring its operating costs back into alignment,” the company continued. “Other initiatives include work to utilize resources more efficiently in patient care areas, streamlining some support department structures and reducing some services.”

More recent MultiCare news

Last week, nurses with , a hospital within MultiCare’s health system in Puyallup, after more than 20 straight hours of bargaining. The WSNA sought better staffing and availability of break nurses.

Before the deal was reached, the WSNA’s 750 nurses previously agreed to strike with a 95% vote.

The union originally asked for 12-24% raises, ratification bonuses of $3,500, and a charge and flex nurse for every unit. Jared Richardson, the MultiCare local bargaining co-chair, said the new agreement will also allow nurses proper time to use the restroom and take breaks during their 12-hour shifts.

Puget Sound business news: Theo Chocolate to close Seattle factory, resulting in 60 layoffs

“I’m exhilarated; this has been so much,” Richardson told . “We鈥檙e seeing historic wage increases. We鈥檙e going to have better, safer staffing. We’re going to have some of the strongest language around breaks in the country, nurses. It鈥檚 fantastic.”

The noted in a press release about the agreement that MultiCare rejected any proposal with safe staffing language. “Putting such language in a contract would make it harder for MultiCare to circumvent it,” the release stated.

The nurses who voted to strike also issued a no-confidence vote against MultiCare CEO Bill Robertson in May, claiming he rejected their staffing plan and an invitation to a town hall meeting.

MyNorthwest News

officer-involved shooting pierce county...

Frank Sumrall

Officer-involved shooting in Pierce County ends with suspect dead after fuel station arson attempt

An officer-involved shooting broke out late Monday afternoon in Pierce County after deputies pursued a suspect allegedly attempting to set a gas station on fire.

6 hours ago

Photo: A sign is seen outside a clinic with the South Plains Public Health District Sunday, Feb. 23...

Heather Bosch

Were you exposed? Whatcom County Health Department issues measles alert

Two family members test positive for measles in Whatcom County; health department urges public to stay informed and vigilant.

7 hours ago

UW athletics operating budget...

Jason Sutich

UW athletics projects $19M budget deficit amid Big Ten transition and rising costs

The University of Washington's athletics department secures funding for FY26, enhancing support for student-athletes and programs.

8 hours ago

travis decker olympic bomber case...

Luke Duecy

Former FBI veteran compares Travis Decker manhunt to Olympic Bomber case: ‘We just have to be lucky one day’

As the manhunt for Travis Decker intensifies in Central Washington, investigators are turning to experts like a former FBI Special Agent who once hunted Centennial Olympic Park Bomber Eric Rudolph.

9 hours ago

Eggslut Capitol Hill Seattle...

Jason Sutich

Eggslut faces criticism ahead of Seattle debut in Capitol Hill

Eggslut faces criticism from local business owners ahead of its opening in Capitol Hill, Seattle. Explore the reactions and implications.

11 hours ago

pomas fire...

Frank Sumrall

Pomas Fire grows to 1,060 acres in Glacier Peak wilderness, 0% contained

The Pomas Fire is currently burning about 36 miles northwest of Entiat, according to the Wildland Fire Application Information Portal, burning聽dead timber left behind from the 2015 Wolverine Fire.

11 hours ago

MultiCare to lay off over 220 employees due to ‘financial challenges’