Senate Vice President Kenneth L. Gittens is urging the leadership of the Territory’s Hospitals, the Hospital Governing Board, Governor Albert Bryan Jr., and the Division of Personnel to work collaboratively to identify alternatives prior to any hospital lay-offs.
Senator Gittens’ appeal follows reports that the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital is preparing to implement a Workforce Reduction Plan affecting certain bargaining unit employees.
While acknowledging the difficult financial realities facing the Territory’s hospitals, Senator Gittens stressed that layoffs should only occur after every reasonable alternative has been exhausted.
“I recognize that hospital leadership has a responsibility to make difficult decisions to strengthen the financial future of our hospitals,” Senator Gittens said. “However, laying off hardworking Virgin Islanders should be the absolute last resort, not the first option. Before anyone is sent home without a paycheck, every effort should be made to find opportunities for those employees elsewhere within the Government of the Virgin Islands.”
The Senate Vice President is calling on hospital leadership and the Governing Board to immediately engage the Governor and Division of Personnel Director Cindy Richardson to explore the transfer of affected employees into funded vacant positions throughout the Executive Branch.
Senator Gittens said such a collaborative approach would allow qualified employees to apply and interview for positions matching their education, experience, and skills while helping government agencies fill long-standing vacancies.
“The Government of the Virgin Islands continues to have numerous funded vacancies across several departments and agencies,” Senator Gittens stated. “Rather than losing experienced and dedicated public employees, we should be working together to retain them in government service. This approach benefits our employees, strengthens public services, and reduces the need for agencies to recruit and train new personnel.”
Senator Gittens noted that one opportunity already exists within the Department of Education through Act No. 8801, legislation he sponsored to authorize the hiring of School Health Technicians to address healthcare staffing needs within the Territory’s public schools.
“I proudly championed Act No. 8801 because I recognized the importance of expanding healthcare support in our schools,” Senator Gittens said. “Many of those positions remain unfilled today. If hospital employees possess the necessary qualifications, they should be given every opportunity to compete for these jobs.”
The Senate Vice President also emphasized that retaining employees within government service would have broader financial benefits for the Territory.
“Keeping these employees working means they continue contributing to the Government Employees’ Retirement System, continue supporting their families, and continue serving the people of the Virgin Islands,” Senator Gittens said. “Every employee we are able to retain helps strengthen the long-term stability of GERS while preserving valuable institutional knowledge within our government.”
Just weeks ago, Senator Gittens publicly called upon hospital leadership to address ongoing concerns regarding payroll deductions that employees allege are being withheld from their paychecks for obligations such as GERS contributions that are not being remitted in a timely manner.
“Our hospital employees have already endured enough uncertainty,” he said.
Senator Gittens also encouraged hospital leadership to continue strengthening its revenue collection efforts as part of its financial recovery strategy.
“A comprehensive recovery plan should focus on increasing revenue and improving accountability, not solely on reducing personnel,” he said.
The Senate Vice President concluded by urging all parties to come together in the interest of the Territory’s workforce.
“This is not about assigning blame,” Senator Gittens said. “This is about collaboration. If there is a pathway to keep these dedicated employees working, serving our community, and contributing to our economy, then we have a responsibility to pursue it before anyone receives a layoff notice.”
