Eastern Maine Medical Center said it plans to cut more than half of the 27 jobs in its laundry operation, which it is preparing to outsource as part of a modernization effort, the Bangor Daily News reported.
Joel Farley, facilities and emergency preparedness administrator, told the city that EMMC is at risk of overloading Bangor’s wastewater capacity due to increased demand for the laundry service, according to the paper. He added the hospital researched alternatives, and decided to contract out the laundry to a vendor selected the Northeast Purchasing Coalition.
The laundry operation at EMMC supports both that facility and Acadia Hospital. It processes 10,000-15,000 pounds of laundry per day using aging equipment that needs to be replaced, according to a press release.
Officials at EMMC are working to find other positions at the hospital for the 17 employees who will lose their jobs.
