Concession negotiations between Forum Health, unions progressing

YOUNGSTOWN — A bankruptcy court filing asking that union contracts be set modified is “not on the front burner,” according to Walter Pishkur, president and chief executive officer of Forum Health.

Pishkur said today negotiations in which the hospital system is seeking concessions from its unionized employees are going well and will likely continue over the weekend and into next week.

Pishkur said Forum, which recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, still has the option of going to court to ask that the contract be modified.

He said, however, the lines of communication remain open between the two sides, calling that a good sign that an agreement can be reached.