READER FEEDBACK
Post a commentEinstein Healthcare Network was prepared for transit strike
People who work at hospitals have to show up whether buses and trains run or not.
That's what they did yesterday at Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, which operates several locations, including Albert Einstein Medical Center on North Broad Street, MossRehab on Tabor Road and in Elkins Park, and an outpatient office building in Germantown.
Lynne Kornblatt, vice president of human resources, estimated that 35 percent to 40 percent of the system's 7,200 employees take public transit to work, but absenteeism was no higher than usual yesterday.
"They really put out a valiant effort, no matter what the impediment is in coming to work," said Kornblatt, a nurse who has worked in human resources for almost 20 years. Einstein has seen more than one transit strike and many close calls in that time.
"We basically have an approach that we take," she said. "We've been through this a number of times."
Two vans that usually take supplies between buildings were used to transport employees to nearby Regional Rail stops or the Five Points intersection at Cottman, Oxford, and Rising Sun Avenues. The vans made repeated loops during shift changes.
More than a week ago, Einstein set up a message board to help employees carpool. In a strike's early days, most people get rides with coworkers or family, Kornblatt said, then there is more walking and biking in.
Einstein notified its staff of the strike hours before the night shift ended at 7 a.m. - employees can't leave until their relief arrives. And rules on tardiness were relaxed.
"We're just really happy that they're making an effort," Kornblatt said of those who made it in a little late.
If the strike continues, Einstein will let employees spell out what help they need.
"The one thing we've learned, and it's kind of counterintuitive, is that if we get overly involved in creating carpooling . . . it ends up being pretty difficult to coordinate," she said.
Contact staff writer Stacey Burling at 215-854-4944 or sburling@phillynews.com.
