[Richard Polillo]

Recently in Spokane WA at Sacred Heart Medical Center the was a mass layoff of 86 LPN's and reduction of force in many support positions. The administrators of this facillity used condesending and sanctamonious language during the announcement. This is a Sisters of Providence institution. It was a terrible morale blow and many of my colleagues of 25 years or more of loyal work were given the heave-ho.
Administrators when asked why, informed us that it was due to financial reasons. Still each one of the 20+ administrators retained all their perks i.e. country club affiliations, society club sponsorships, bloated staff support and cars. The rationale was that it wouldn't be possible for the organization to retain these managers should the incentives be removed. Along with this there are 2 building projects underway costing well over 100 million dollars. This is wrong headed thinking and pure greed has driven the implemention of this method of management. It was also implied that after 10/31/04 there may be another round of such reductions.
Our respective professional organizations are having a difficult time in ensuring that our contracts are being observed as the adminstration will not interact unless forced to. Many of our colleagues are facing the unemployment line and are applying for state assistance. The severance package that was negotiated is being witheld and retraining monies are a pittance $25000.00 to be spread out among all of the affected individuals.
For those of you that are looking for employment in the health care industry I would caution you to give the Sister of Providence organizations in Canada and the West Coast of the United States a wide birth as they have proven to be terrible managers. In fact the individuals which have authority for day to day operations are so inept that a consulting firm have been hired to give direction. The firm is called "Empath" if this firm ever comes to your institution it will be a dark day indeed. Please spread the word about this terrible situation. For those of you that read this I thank you for allowing me to vent. Richard

[2ndCareerRN]

Vent away Richard.

What SHMC has done to the LPN's and ultimately the RN's is despicable.

I left Valley Hospital and started traveling almost 2 years ago because of the pay cuts, staff layoffs, and mismanagement at Deaconess and Valley.

I don't understand why the hospitals in Spokane are having such a hard time making ends meet.

Good luck on the upcoming negotiations.

bob