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     Current Issue Highlights Highlights Archive             Get to know your Business Agent today!  Find out how the union makes a difference on the job. |
Newsline: April 2002 Visit to Local 237 by New President of HHC Seen As Thaw in Relationship Local 237 President Carl Haynes last month praised Health and Hospitals Corporation President and Chief Executive Dr. Benjamin Chu for taking the first step to thaw what had become a frosty relationship between the union and the public hospital system as a result of efforts by the previous administration to privatize hospital police jobs. “It has always been the case, particularly with the previous administration and with Health and Hospitals, for the union to be the one putting itself out and constantly fighting to keep the doors of communication open between the union and management,” said Haynes. “It is refreshing to have the other side take the initiative. Dr. Chu reached out to us first shortly after his appointment and indicated an interest in getting to know the union that represents the people who work for him.” Haynes described the meeting with Dr. Chu, which took place last month at union headquarters, as “a friendly introductory meeting.” The meeting, Haynes said, did not focus on any one issue although privatization and the problem of staff shortages in certain job titles were discussed. “Dr. Chu indicated that his goal for HHC is to expand and improve the services provided in city hospitals and community centers. I believe he was being sincere when he said he was not committed to privatization, nor does he see it as a solution to HHC’s financial problems. He believes, as we do, that cutting staff harms services. In turn, I promised him that the union would use its clout at the local, state and national levels to advocate for greater financial support for the hospital system,” Haynes added. “The city’s public health system, in addition to being the largest in the nation, has some of the finest and most technologically advanced facilities, and provide first-rate health care services to millions of uninsured citizens. There is no reason why a hospital system of this size and caliber should be so inadequately funded and struggling to pay its bills. Local 237 is certainly committed to doing anything within our means to help change this inequity. This union has a major stake in the well-being of our public health care system.” According to a recent New York Times article on Dr. Chu and HHC, the hospital system under the previous administration kept the corporation’s finances under control by cutting about 30 percent of its workforce, “paring services and leaning on hospital administrators to find efficiencies...but did not necessarily improve the reputation of the hospitals’ clinical services, or please advocates.” The newspaper quotes Dr. Marco as saying: “If you want to do a great job here, you have to be willing to take risks and burn bridges. ...That is why in part I am now unemployed.” Although HHC is mandated to treat anyone who seeks care at any one of its facilities, they are reimbursed for the service at a rate much lower than the actual cost of the service. This has been the case for many years even though public hospitals are the hospital of choice for most of the city’s illegal and uninsured patients. Dr. Chu is the son of Chinese immigrants and grew up using the HHC’s system. Dr. Chu said he will continue to impress on his staff that he is committed to improving and expanding services, and he needs the concerted effort of everyone. “I always tell people that we need to treat patients like you would want your mother to be treated.” |
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 Dr. Benjamin Chu, HHC President and Chief Executive |
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