UiI £ibiran &zig One hundred nine years of editorialfreedomv wPREEM~n9RMMmMEitTT MMRMm EM~mmEMlMR donday, June 5, 2000 www.michigandaily.com f s f x l Iospital may lose jobs y Sara Fedewa )ail Staff Reporter Tension has arisen among members f the University community after an rticle that appeared in the Ann Arbor flews suggested that 350 positions may e cut from the University Hospital taff. This cut would be part of an ttempt to slash costs within the hospi- il's budget. &oyd Jacobs, chief operating officer re hospital, said that this number as preliminary and explained that othing has been decided yet. "Every academic health center in the country is struggling to reduce costs," acobs said, adding that the goal of the ospital is to "not just cut people off but > try to get work done in more produc- ve ways." Se method that the Hospital is con- ing is the outsourcing of labor. osts may be able to be cut by hiring ontractors and temporary workers who re not associated with the University > take over certain tasks. Although some are beginning to ssume these positions would be those f janitors and security guards, Jacobs aid, "there is no certainty in the posi- ons to be outsourced." Some members of the University are p osed to this idea as it would result in iss of hundreds of jobs for current mployees. Jacobs said there are currently about 25 open positions at the hospitals and, f those 350 positions are cut, most of te employees will be able to shift into ne of the open positions, but some say be left without an appropriate posi- tion to transfer to. This potential shift and job loss is problematic for doctoral candidate and University employee Michael Dover. "Reducing the number of decent jobs with benefits, such as nurses aides, security guards and janitorial services only contributes to the very social prob- lems the public and nonprofit sector should be working to solve, such as the marginal employment experienced by many individuals and families who are periodically unemployed, on welfare, forced to ear money in the so-called underground economy and through ille- gal means," Dover said. "Contracting such jobs out to private employers will result in less security, more turnover, sub-standard benefits, absentee supervisors and a profit mar- gin which will not result in long-term cost savings," he said. Bargaining Chairman for the AFSCME labor union, Warren Jenkins, is also troubled by the possibility of workers losing their jobs. While Jenkins understands the necessity of a budget cut for the hospi- tal, he said, "the key is, what pennies are getting pinched. It's always at the bottom end:' Jenkins said, while the hospital claims to be "financially challenged" it continues to provide pay raises and bonuses for those in administration and the higher eud of the pay scale, while cutting jobs of those working in lower paying positions. Similarly, Dover said, "it seems that Strummin' away Media Union director .r A resigns By Rachel Green Daily Staff Reporter After two years as the director of the University's Media Union, Barbara O'Keefe announced her resignation on Monday, May 15, and her future plans to assume the position as Dean of Speech at Northwestern University. The Media Union is home to the largest computing site on campus, which houses 360 computers, as well as four libraries, including the engi- neering library, an art gallery and a host of classrooms. The Media Union has grown tremendously since its opening in 1996, particularly in terms of its multimedia recqurses. O'Keefe, who was hired by the Provost committee in 1998 as the Media Union's first director, said she worked to create a solid infrastructure of employees within the building's var- ious departments. The various subcom- stRO tQUINNly mittees housed within the Media Union Shira Olevsky-Abercrombge, an Incoming junior transfer student to the School should provide for a smooth transition of Art and Design plays her guitar on the Diag on Sunday. of management once O'Keefe leaves in See MEDIA UNION, Page 7 raylor ves testimony in Martin trial By Jon Schwartz See OUTSOURCING, Page 2 Daily Sports Writer As the Ed Martin saga continues to unfold, several for- mer University basketball players are once again ascend- ing to the forefront of the case. Robert Traylor, a former University basketball player, testified on Wednesday before a federal grand jury in Detroit after being subpoenaed regarding his relationship with the former University booster. Traylor, a former star who left the University after his junior season, currently plays for the Milwaukee Bucks in the National Basketball Association. Due to the nature of grand jury testimony, all informa- tion in relation to the testimony is sealed. Later this month, Louis Bullock, another onetime University basketball standout, will continue the pro- ceedings by making his own testimony. Both Bullock and Traylor are represented by Steven Fishman, an attorney out of Detroit. Fishman did not return calls made by The Michigan Daily. It is not yet known whether the grand jury will sub- poena any more basketball players, however Chris Webber, Albert White, Maurice Taylor and Jalen Rose have all been linked to Martin. Martin is accused of running an exten- sive gambling ring through Ford Motor Company's River Rouge plant. The case also involves the University because of Martin's contact with the bas- ketball team, with accusations of giving gifts to players. Traylor It is unknown whether or not Martin ever gambled on University games. After agreeing to a plea bargain last month that would have landed himself and his son Carlton in jail for no more than 15 months for gambling and tax evasion, Martin backed out for unknown reasons. Currently, the University must wait for the grand jury to make a decision on whether or not to indict Martin. "Whatever happens, we'll deal with it," said University Vice-President and General Counsel Marvin Krislov. elin' a draft rid Parrish's future at Michigan Sdepend ontoday's draft. TS, Patie 12 1~ The University's hospital may be facing the cut-back of 350 jobs to help reduce costs. I Meeting postponed Aged Alternative University's meeting on tobacco divestments Alternative pioneers The Cure and been postponed until June 15. Sonic Youth each plan local stops. NT QV .Page 2 A IS. Patne 8