UW Medicine announces furloughs for 4,000 workers

SEATTLE — UW Medicine announced Monday that it has concluded bargaining with unions and is temporarily furloughing around 4,000 workers.

These furloughs are in addition to the 1,500 professional and non-union staff who were furloughed last week after UW Medicine reported unprecedented financial losses due to the pandemic, according to a press release.

>> UW Medicine estimates $500 million loss by end of summer due to pandemic

“This has been a very difficult, but necessary, decision to address the financial challenges facing UW Medicine and all healthcare organizations responding to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Lisa Brandenburg, president of UW Medicine Hospitals & Clinics.

UW Medicine said it expects to lost $500 million by the end of the summer, mostly due to a decrease in elective procedures.

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