Capital Health lays off 103 security workers under safety improvement plan
TRENTON NJ February 3 2019 — Transforming Capital Health Regional Medical Center into a safer facility apparently involves mass layoffs.
Capital Health will oust 103 of its own security employees effective March 8, the patient care company revealed in a public notice.
“We are currently restructuring our Security Department,” Capital Health said in a statement issued by a spokesperson, Kate Stier. “The restructuring will result in our becoming a more secure health system for our visitors, patients and staff. We recognize that even hospitals are no longer safe zones and as a health care leader, it is our job to provide a safe environment for everyone.”
To make the hospital safer, Capital Health is partnering with an outside security firm, Allied Universal, which will replace the outgoing status quo manning the Trenton-based trauma center. Allied Universal is “a leader in security for North America,” Capital Health said in its statement, which effectively amounted to a vote of no confidence in the hospital’s current security staff.
“As part of the restructure, everyone who is affected by the change will have the opportunity to interview for a position within the new security firm,” Capital Health said. “Additionally, all security personnel will receive a severance based on years of service regardless if they stay on under the new security company or not.”
Allied Universal may hire some or all of Capital Health’s laid off security workers, but there is no guarantee the private security firm will hire any one of them.
“Capital Health will work with the current security team and the new security firm for a smooth transition,” Capital Health said in its statement.
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