Forum Hillside nurses OK pact

STAFF REPORT

HOWLAND — Registered nurses at Forum Health Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital approved a three-year contract that calls for a 3 percent annual increase each year of the agreement.

A tentative agreement, which would run from July 20, 2008, to July 19, 2011, was reached Wednesday, and nurses voted on the pact Friday, according to Cathleen Slater, Ohio Nurses Association spokeswoman.

Meanwhile, negotiations continued between Forum Health and the Youngstown General Duty Nurses Association, which represents about 435 nurses at Northside Medical Center in Youngstown.

Earlier in the week, Eric Williams, president of the YGDNA, said the union had asked for an extension of its contract with Forum, but had not received a reply. The contract expires at midnight today.

Officials of the financially troubled Forum Health have said they need help from employees to keep the health care system afloat.

Two major financial research organizations, Moody’s Investor Services and Standard Poor’s, have downgraded Forum’s bond rating, a move that makes it more difficult and expensive to borrow money.

Forum officials would not comment in any detail about negotiations.

However, Forum spokeswoman Trish Hrina said the union has issued no strike notice and there has been no extension of the contract.

The last nurses strike at Forum Health lasted 81 days, beginning May 1, 2001, and ending July 20, 2001. The main issue was mandatory overtime.