NILES Nurses await word on union

Two residents voiced concern about mosquito problems.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- City nurses will have to wait at least another month to find out if the health board will approve them joining a union.
Elizabeth McCallister and Kathy Salapata want to join the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 506, the union that represents most nonsupervisory city workers.
Board members said Monday they want an official from Ohio Council 8 of AFSCME to come to a meeting and answer questions.
The board tabled the issue last month, seeking more information. Some board members raised concerns about the effect of a strike on city residents who rely on the nurses as their only health care.
"My main concern is the delivery of services," board member Al Guarnieri said Monday.
In a strike situation: Union members at Monday's board meeting said that if there was a strike, the health department could hire per diem nurses to provide services in residents' homes.
The nurses cite job security as one reason they want to join the union. "Boards come and go and change -- anything can happen," Salapata said.
The board's next meeting is May 14.
The board also heard from resident Audrey John, who is concerned about mosquitos at the site of the new middle school. John and her husband, George, work at the Niles Historical Society's Thomas House, but stressed their concerns were as residents, not historical-society members.
The Thomas House is near Brynhyfryd Park, where the school will be built.
"There are approximately 46 acres of wetland area on school property," John said. "The ground is saturated with surface water frequently."
Disease concerns: The Johns are concerned about encephalitis and the West Nile Virus, both of which are transmitted by mosquitos which live in wetlands.
The school board last month approved design documents and authorized the administration to advertise for bids for site work.
At that time, Superintendent Patrick Guliano said the state, architects and the construction manager all approved the site.
John asked the health board to research the issue and ask the school board to halt further action on the building project until a study is done.
The suggestion was taken under advisement.