[Bernard Marx]

This is almost funny. I just picked up the local throw-away copy the the Ventura (CA) County Star from my driveway and the lead headline reads: Hospital to Trim Staff." Some 50 nurses and other employees in two area hospitals will be laid off effective Jan. 31.

All are members of SEIU affiliates and a union spokesperson speculated the hospitals want to cut costs by hiring non-union contract workers who don't receive benefits.

Well...Duh? Be careful what you wish for. And Merry Christmas SEIU.

[Bernard Marx]

Re: hospital layoffs.

I forgot to mention that the hospital statement said: "Like all health care providers nationwide, [we] are preparing for the changes required by the Affordable Health Care Act."

Cause, meet effect.