A move by the directorate of Hadassah Medical Organization does not seem to be winning favor among its employees. Accompanying employees’ January 2009 pay stub is a letter from the hospital explaining a pay cut, which is being used by the ailing medical organization as a loan.
 
The letter, signed by the hospital’s union head, states that 3% of everyone’s gross salary was being used as a loan in light of the dire situation and the hospital’s growing deficit. Employees earning less than NIS 5,000 monthly are not included in the emergency loan. A second letter promises the move is a one-time happening and the money would be returned in March 2009, or earlier if the fiscal rehabilitation program is signed ahead of schedule.
 
Many of the medical organization’s employees are not pleased, some less disturbed about the loan but angered over the unilateral action, without any advanced notice or the thought of discussing the matter with workers before dipping into their paychecks.
 
Hadassah officials explain the money was taken from all employees, medical and support staff, one of many emergency measures being implemented to keep the medical organization afloat; stressing it was done in coordination with union leadership. In addition, some of the upper management has taken voluntary pay cuts in the hope of surviving the economic crunch.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)