Westchester Medical Center cuts 124

Westchester Medical Center is letting go 124 workers as it continues to outsource jobs to save money. A spokesman did not say how much money would be saved.

The workers were notified Aug. 6 that their last day at work would be Aug. 20.

Hospital spokesman David Billig said these cuts are the final step in the center”™s outsourcing partnership with Medical Staffing Network. Medical center officials believe the layoffs will result in better care, he said.

“By merging the roles of several different titles, we will improve care, safety, communication, efficiency and flexibility to adjust staffing levels,” Billig said in a statement.

Peter Piazza, president of CSEA Unit 9201, the Civil Service Employees Association, which represents the workers being let go, was reported as saying 83 hospital clerks, six Spanish-speaking hospital aides, one assistant supervisor and 34 patient care technicians are being laid off. Calls to the union for comment were not returned by press time.

“These are people that are working with the patients on a daily basis. Some of them are in the emergency room,” Piazza told a news outlet. “Some of these workers have been with the medical center for over 30 years. By letting these workers go, the center clearly doesn”™t care about the care their patients receive.”

Billig said the workers being laid off can reapply for their jobs through Medical Staffing Network.