LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Union members at the University of Michigan Health-Sparrow’s Lansing location are demanding answers after they say the hospital has decided to “outsource” jobs in support and nutrition services.
UAW Local 4911 President Kim Wheeler says 379 employees in the Food and Nutritional Services and Support Operations Services, also referred to as Environmental Services, have been affected by the move.
Wheeler said leadership in both departments were notified Thursday of the decision.
“This was done without any prior knowledge from UAW Local 4911 and kept secretive for an undisclosed amount of time,” Wheeler wrote in a statement to employees.
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In a written statement sent to 6 News, Sparrow confirms it will “soon partner” with two other companies — Xanitos and TouchPoint Support Services. The former will manage support services and the latter will manage nutritional services, with Sparrow saying Xanitos and a sister company of TouchPoint already provide services at UM Health-West.
The decision was made to “prepare for financial headwinds,” the hospital said, citing anticipated “Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement challenges.”…