Maximus employees protest health benefits, accomodations - WDAM

PINE BELT, Miss. (WDAM) – Employees who work for Maximus federal call center rallied together outside of the building this morning.

A few of the employees said they are protesting because they want better wages, health benefits and accommodations.

“I’m actually partially deaf, and it took me about three months to get accommodated equipment just to do my job,” says Haley Jefcoat.

Jefcoat is just one of many employees who joined in the protest. Before they started their chants, they decided to open with a prayer from local pastor, Rev. Carlos Wilson.

“I know what poverty is. I know what the struggle is. I know what people are going through, especially during these times. I know what it means to have or not have health insurance. So if a prayer can help impact that, then I want to be part of that,” says Wilson.

Lanycha Hall says they need prayer because one of her main concerns is employee health insurance.

“I have several health conditions, one, I’m legally blind. They did accommodate me in the building, but when it came to my medical equipment… My job was to help other people with their life-sustaining equipment, but I couldn’t afford to buy my own,” says Hall.

Sheree Collier says she just wants to be treated overall better.

“It’s not fair, that I do double the work, I’m dual which is the affordable care act, and Medicare but I’m not appreciated,” says Collier.

Maximus did respond to the protest with a statement:

Since Maximus acquired the Contact Center Operations contract in 2018, we have focused our efforts on three overarching goals to benefit our employees. These goals include continuously improving business processes and the work environment, improving pay and compensation above the minimum wage, and reducing employees’ out-of-pocket health care expenses.