Jail workers still unpaid after contract end

Philadelphia City Council's legislative oversight committee heard testimony on Wednesday regarding the aftermath of YesCare's bankruptcy. The jail health care provider was abruptly terminated in May after missing payroll and declaring bankruptcy. Union representatives stated that workers have not yet been fully compensated for the losses incurred during the transition.

Christine Bendig, an X-ray technician with 22 years of service, described operational disruptions that began in 2022. She reported that unpaid bills led to declined credit card payments and interrupted telephone services. These issues made it difficult for staff to provide timely treatment. Bendig, a delegate for District 1199C, noted that colleagues discovered in late 2025 that their 401(k) contributions were missing from retirement accounts for weeks.

Paycheck delays intensified in March. Deposits arrived late only after employees made multiple calls to human resources. Brianna Miller, a behavioral health professional with eight years of experience, said initial delays were measured in hours. By May, the company missed payday entirely. Miller argued that employees should not have to choose between their personal financial obligations and their professional duties.

The city awarded a one-year contract worth up to $80 million to CFG Health in April 2025. The new provider was scheduled to begin in July but took over in May after the bankruptcy judge ended the YesCare contract five weeks early. Prisons Commissioner Michael Resnick told the committee that the bidding process drew seven proposals. He stated that the city selected the best offer available.

Resnick acknowledged that vendor payments were delayed around two bankruptcies filed by YesCare and its predecessor, Corizon Health. He maintained that medical care delivery was satisfactory before the bankruptcy. However, Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke, who called for the hearing, asked if the affected union members had been made whole. Bendig answered that they had not.

The union is currently calculating outstanding amounts for 401(k) contributions and accrued paid time off. Bendig said the debts vary widely among staff. Some workers are owed approximately $1,000, while others have more than $20,000 in banked paid time off. Chris Kimmenez, chair of the citizen-led oversight commission, criticized the lack of public transparency during the months leading up to the collapse.

O'Rourke noted that the legislative body received no real-time communication about the bankruptcy's impact. Resnick said he spent six weeks in the spring spreading awareness of the unraveling situation. The committee received a fuller public account of how the contractor failed and what the city knew during that period.