Western State Hospital Members Take Charge Against the Targets on Their Backs

The grassroots effort to take charge against the targets on our backs stopped at Western State Hospital last week. Here’s a report from Federation Public Affairs Assistant Laura Reisdorph:

More than 100 people attended a rally at Western State Hospital Aug. 13 to support employees facing layoffs. WSH managers have announced layoffs in response to the Governor’s directive to agencies to cut 2 percent that will affect about 65 jobs.

Employees, through their local union, Local 793, have offered suggestions of how to cut costs without cutting jobs. So far, management has not responded, nor addressed the union concerning layoffs.

The entire physical therapy clinic and all recreation and athletics specialists (RAS) 1 and 2 are at risk. Recreation and athletics 3 and 4 will be retained, but the cuts mean “more time left idle,” said Gordon Monk (RAS2). “This cut will impact patients’ quality of care directly,” Monk said. “Recreation allows for positive outlets and improves skills - progress is measurable through testing. The direct contact helps reveal the patients’ needs and fears. More idle time will increase the danger to self and others.”


Arthur Wayne Simonson has been employed for 35 years, and is currently safe from the threat of layoff as a RAS3, but he has concerns about the impact to patients. “It’s a safety issue,” Simonson said. “Less hands at the training session, means we can do less for patients.”



“This will leave a single staffer with 15-20 in a group session,” added Dee Foster, a 25-year veteran. As an RAS2, she is directly impacted by the layoff. “Whether it’s arts and crafts, a walk or organized exercise, the direct contact and ability to address individual issues is impaired. I’m afraid the solution will involve TV and DVDs and less interaction.”






Rodney Stanley, a therapy assistant in the Physical Therapy Clinic, said, “closing the clinic won’t remove WSH’s obligation to provide physical therapy. It’s required under Medicaid.” Four employees currently staff the clinic. “A supervisor informed us that they would begin contracting out the work. I’m not sure how that is suppose to save the state money,” Stanley added.


“We need more mental health services, not less,” Sen. Mike Carrell, R-28th Dist., told the crowd.

“The types of decisions made last session were flawed,” Carrell said. “The mental health system is one part of the entire safety system that provides protection to those afflicted and to society. We made deep cuts to criminal justice, including supervision, and those cuts coupled with these additional cuts to mental health impact our safety system. We need more, not less, right now in mental health.”



WFSE/AFSCME President Carol Dotich reported that the new CEO at Western State Hospital refused to engage in discussions with Local 793 officials prior to implementing changes. Repeated efforts to establish communication have resulted in multiple demands to bargain at the facility.

“Today’s rally is about respect, it’s about process, and it’s about safety – for employees and for patients,” Sean Dannen, WFSE/AFSCME council representative for bargaining unit employees at WSH. “Today, we’re collecting, again, employees’ suggestions for cuts that would not result in job losses.”

King5 was not permitted on the grounds to film the employee rally,
but was allowed access in orer to interveiw the CEO post rally.
Watch the raw video here.

Here's the story as reported on King5.com