The on, off, then on again lay offs at Jackson Health System may be headed to a Miami-Dade court room.

With 500 employees expected to get pink slips today and Friday, one of the employees unions is planning to file a lawsuit to take 155 of its members off the chopping block.

The layoffs were not a surprise for any of the unions, who agreed to the stipulation to help Jackson cope with a $230 million budget deficit this year. But the issue appears to be how layoffs are being conducted and the positions that are being eliminated, which union leaders say are vital to providing quality health care to the community.

"The uncertainty and disorganized handling of the layoffs is incredibly stressful for all of Jackson employees," wrote leaders of the Service Employees International Union in a statement about the layoffs. "If the new list still contains layoffs that reflect bad business decisions or affect patient care, we will continue to fight these layoffs."

Among the 155 contested layoffs are 78 registered nurses and 15 physicians. SEIU is also contesting the firing of 62 healthcare professionals.

Jackson has been mum on the situation except for a statement announcing the 400 layoffs tomorrow. CEO Eneida Roldan contends that any layoffs were agreed upon by the unions, including the types of positions to be eliminated.

"It has been a very lengthy and arduous process. We have labored over these decisions to ensure that we maintain the highest level of patient care," Roldan said, "efficiency throughout the health system and that all parties involved -- including our union partners -- are in mutual agreement."