Forum, nurses' union to return to talks

YOUNGSTOWN — Negotiations between Forum Health and the Ohio Nurses’ Association/Youngstown General Duty Nurses Association are scheduled to resume Wednesday, with a potential strike 10 days away.

According to Forum Health, the nurses union, which represents some 600 registered nurses at Northside Medical Center and Beeghly Medical Park in Boardman, issued a formal strike notice late Monday at the end of a contract negotiating session.

The notice said the nurses union intends to begin picketing at Northside at 3 p.m. July 27 if a new work agreement is not reached.

The nurses understand the financial situation at Forum Health, said union president Eric Williams. It is in everybody’s best interest to reach an agreement on a contract that will enable Forum Health to retain and recruit nurses, he said.

He said several more negotiating sessions are scheduled in the next few days.

For the complete story, see Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com.