Union, Forum Health reach tentative deal

It represents 1,285 workers at Trumbull Memorial and Hillside hospitals.

STAFF REPORT

Forum Health, which has been pushing its workers for concessions, has reached a tentative contract agreement with one of its unions.

No details are being released about the agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

The union represents 1,285 workers, including registered nurses and service and technical employees at Trumbull Memorial Hospital and other employees at Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital.

Forum, which is operating under bankruptcy court protection, has threatened to ask a judge to throw out union contracts without further concessions.

The union has not set a date for a ratification vote by members.

Walter Pishkur, Forum chief executive, could not be reached to comment.

Deborah Bindas, AFSCME staff representative, said in a statement the agreement would allow the union membership and hospital to prosper.

“I am satisfied that we were able to come to an agreement that meets the needs of both our union membership and Forum Health,” she said.

The two sides said they reached an agreement in principle on Friday and completed the agreement Wednesday.