Forum Health union not opposed to turning over pension to federal government

YOUNGSTOWN — A Service Employees International Union spokesman said SEIU does not oppose the transfer of Forum Health’s defined benefits pension plan to the auspices of the federal government.

“It is not one of the issues still on the bargaining table,” said Rob Johnson, Hospital Division director for the union’s District 1199, speaking in a conference call today in the wake of Forum filing a motion Friday asking the bankruptcy court to terminate the pension plan and transfer it to the federal Pension Benefit Guarantee Corp.

District 1199 represents some 1,300 Forum employees, including about 680 at Northside Medical Center.

Forum’s motion, which Johnson said shocked the union, said immediate termination of the pension plan is critical to Forum’s survival.

In a press release Monday, Walter Pishkur, Forum president and chief executive officer, said Friday’s action was necessitated by the extended contract negotiations with District 1199 and the Youngstown General Duty Nurses Association/Ohio Nurses Association, both at Northside. The negotiations failed to allow for the future transfer of Forum’s pension plan, which covers about 7,132 working and retired employees.

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