Greater West Central Area Labor Council: President on HSHS, Prevea closures

Eau Claire, WI- Yesterday, the Hospital Sisters Health System announced the closure of multiple medical facilities in the Chippewa Valley. As a result of these closures approximately 1,082 HSHS and 325 Prevea employees will be impacted.

Nick Webber, President of the Greater West Central Area Labor Council, released the following statement in response:

“Yesterday’s news regarding the closure of HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital, Saint Joseph’s Hospital, and Prevea facilities is a tragic loss for this community. It is chilling that the announcement to close these long-time employers in the Chippewa Valley came nearly 32 years after the news of the Uniroyal-Goodrich plant closure, which stunned this community for years.

This decision, impacting nearly 1,400 good-paying jobs in our community will undoubtedly be felt by us all in one way or another. As former Uniroyal employees and community members who were here understand, now is not the time for lip-service, but rather intentional communication and tangible solutions.

To all of the affected employees: Thank you for always being there for us and our families, now it’s our turn to be there for you.”