Forum Health, TMH service workers reach concessions pact

WARREN — Immediately after its 300-member chapter at Trumbull Memorial Hospital approved a concessionary contract, the Service Employees International Union accused Forum Health of using “fuzzy finances” in contract bargaining at Northside Medical Center in Youngstown.

Trumbull Memorial service workers ratified the renegotiated work agreement with Forum by a 179-29 vote Wednesday night, union officials said.

Union spokesman Anthony Caldwell said today an audit by the union revealed that Northside has a $11 million annual operating deficit, as opposed to the $22 million to $25 million that Forum says the hospital is losing each year.

Also, he said monthly performance reviews over the last five months have been outperforming the budget projections of the hospital.

He called on Walter Pishkur, Forum president and chief executive officer, to “be honest with the public about the financial struggle they face.”

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