UW Health doctors and leadership get pay cut, hourly workers don't

A day after announcing it would not cut wages for its hourly workers, the University of Wisconsin Health System confirmed that, while it will not be cutting wages for its hourly workers, it will be cutting hours for some of them.

In a follow up statement on Wednesday, UW Health told NBC15 it expects to reduce hours “in areas where there is not currently work.” A spokesperson for the hospital, Emily Kumlien, noted that despite the reductions, UW Health is not laying off anyone and it anticipates the changes will be temporary.

On Tuesday, UW Health stated executives and doctors would see their pay slashed anywhere from 10 to 20 percent depending on their position and hourly workers’ wages would stay the same. The statement did note, though, that those would see some flexing.

Over the next two months, senior leaders will lose a fifth of their pay, while vice-presidents and doctors will receive 15 percent less, and other leaders face a 10 percent cut.

According to its numbers, the health system expects to see $350-400 million in lost revenue between March 15 and June 30. Since the outbreak began, Kumlien said they have had to postpone 5,800 surgeries and procedures and the number of patients staying at the hospital has been cut in half, from 600 to 300.

As part of its cuts, construction on the east campus will be delayed or paused.