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Nearly 70 SEIU members in purple changed O'Quinn's message

Tuesday October 19, 2004 nearly 70 SEIU members in purple scrubs packed the Commission hearing room to send a message to PHT CEO Marvin O'Quinn.  It was clear that the large group of caregivers in the room made a strong impression on both O'Quinn and the County Commission.

Six days ago O'Quinn gave a powerpoint presentation to a sub-committee of the Commission stating that Jackson employees salaries and benefits are at the 85th percentile and should be brought down to the 60-65th percentile.

This time when O'Quinn gave his presentation, he was surrounded by SEIU nurses and professionals listening to every word.

Martha Baker spoke at the hearing and said, "The salaries and benefits of Jackson employees are above average―as they should be. This is what attracts and keeps high quality caregivers at Jackson. Attempting to lower salaries and benefits for caregivers will only hurt Jackson in the long run by increasing turnover and vacancies and therefore negatively impacting staffing and patient care."

This time O'Quinn made no mention of cutting salaries or benefits of Jackson Employees. He heard us loud and clear! It's important to keep up the pressure over the next few months as Jackson continues to restructure, but today proves that numbers do make a difference.

We should continue to support Mr. O'Quinn's improvements in Billing Practices, reductions in Management Layers, and work with him on saving Jackson money through reducing Length of Stays and other cost-savings ideas.

Come to the next Membership Meeting to discuss O'Quinn's restructuring and strategize on next steps to make sure that caregivers are not hurt.