By KHT Staff
KAOHSIUNG — A dispute has erupted over the management of Kaohsiung Municipal Tatung Hospital (高雄市立大同醫院), with labor unions accusing its new operator, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (高雄長庚紀念醫院), of staffing shortages and deteriorating working conditions following a management transfer last year.
The hospital has been operated by Chang Gung since 2025. On Thursday, the Kaohsiung Independent Federation of Trade Unions (高雄市獨立總工會), the Kaohsiung Medical Workers Union (高醫工會), and the Tatung Hospital Union (大同醫院工會) held a joint press conference, saying more than 100 staff members have left within the first year of the transition. The unions alleged that promised protections for labor conditions were not fully honored and that pay increases were offset by cuts to existing allowances, amounting to a de facto wage reduction.
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital rejected the claims, saying service volumes have continued to grow steadily and that operations remain fully compliant with contractual obligations and health regulations. The hospital said the accusations lack a factual basis and warned that it may pursue legal action to protect its reputation.
The Kaohsiung City Health Bureau (高雄市衛生局) said it has been monitoring the situation and conducted staff consultations late last year. Deputy Director Pan Chao-ying (潘炤穎) said the hospital has passed regional teaching hospital and emergency care capability evaluations, including teams for ECMO, acute coronary care, and major trauma. She added that a special bonus will be issued on January 26 to address staff concerns, and that the bureau will continue reviewing financial and staffing conditions once full financial reports are available.
