Forum Health won’t ask to postpone bankruptcy court hearing

YOUNGSTOWN — Forum Health will not ask the federal bankruptcy court to postpone Tuesday’s hearing on the hospital system’s motion to set aside work agreements with two labor unions.

The hearing also is expected to deal with Forum’s request to transfer financial responsibility for its pension plan to the federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., and a request to extend the time period during which Forum is the only party that can submit a restructuring plan.

Walter Pishkur, Forum president and chief executive officer, said the hearing will occur as scheduled, and that Forum will not seek to change the date.

Judge Kay Woods of the Northern District of Ohio’s U.S. Bankruptcy Court earlier this week granted Forum’s request for an expedited hearing on the matters. She rejected a motion objecting to the expedited hearing filed by the Youngstown General Duty Nurses Association/Ohio Nurses Association, which represents nurses at Northside Medical Center.

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