ORLANDO, Fla. — A major change in pay at one of central Florida's largest employers is being delayed after a push back from employees.
Eyewitness News obtained an email that states that Orlando Health will be delaying cuts to shift differential pay.
Hospital employees said the delays will not discourage employees from unionizing.
Instead of completely doing away with shift differential pay, which pays employees more during undesirable shifts, the hospital system said it is slashing the amount by half in October.
In an email obtained by Eyewitness News, hospital CEO Sherrie Sitarik called the delay an effort to "balance the concerns of team members with our overall financial goals and plans."
"We're very happy about it, we're very happy about the email because we feel like we created that, we did that," nurse Sarah Lasher said.
Lasher is one nurse behind the push to form a union at Orlando Health.
Dozens of nurses announced plans to collaborate to administrators two weeks ago Tuesday.
Lasher said the delay in pay changes proves the benefit of organizing.
"Our position is collective activity is great, but collective bargaining is even better," Lasher said.
Orlando Health has repeatedly told Eyewitness News that unions do not fit the system's goal of patient care.
Eyewitness News uncovered an email detailing union training for security officers.
Lasher said it won't stop those in support of unionizing.
"There's definitely an anti-union assault going on at work right now," Lasher said.
The email sent to employees also promised that changes will not be made to PTO or healthcare benefits
The cuts to shift differential pay are expected to prevent the hospital from having to cut 300 jobs.
WFTV
