Jun 25, 2008

Hospital cuts get reconsidered

Unions argue against outsourcing during hearings

By Shaun Bishop / Daily News Staff Writer

Union leaders persuaded San Mateo County supervisors this week to reconsider a plan that would outsource the county hospital's transportation program and eliminate eight county jobs, though several officials said the county can't be afraid to cut its budget to reduce an ongoing deficit.

Supervisors tentatively approved the San Mateo Medical Center's 2008-2009 budget, which includes a total of 19 job cuts, but agreed to do a deeper analysis of the cost savings that cutting jobs and hiring a contractor could bring.

"It's premature to move forward with outsourcing this," said Supervisor Jerry Hill, the most vocal opponent of the cuts. "I don't believe the outsourced or contracted employees could provide the same level of service and care that we're seeing from our employees today."

On Monday, the first day of hearings for the county budget, the other four supervisors were more skeptical of ditching the outsourcing plan, saying it could be a good way to cut costs and attack a $25 million structural deficit.

"If we're not willing to take this step ... we're just going to be faced with all kinds of problems," Supervisor Mark Church said.

County Manager John Maltbie said the county would find other jobs for the eight laid off drivers if the cuts are finalized when the board approves the budget in September.

Hospital administrators say the transportation program, which is for patients who can't get to the center on their own, has been marked by inconsistency as there aren't enough drivers to fill in for ones who are absent.

Union officials argued that the county employees bring a personalized approach to the job and say the cost savings of outsourcing have not been proven.

"I really care for the patients I transport, and I think they care for me," said Larry Drayton, a county driver for the past 27 years.

But Maltbie said pain will be inevitable as the medical center tries to cut costs and reduce its drain on county finances.

"If we're not going to make a step like this, we're not going to get there. And if we don't get there, the county's structural deficit is going to be in very bad shape," Maltbie said.

The budget also calls for a new food preparation system that will allow it to reheat large batches of food and cut out one cooking shift, eliminating six jobs.



E-mail Shaun Bishop at sbishop@dailynewsgroup.com.