Forum will cut 125 positions

YOUNGSTOWN

Forum Health said today that it will reduce its staff by 125 positions system-wide over the next few months. Impacted employees will be notified individually, beginning immediately, according to Forum’s statement.

Forum said the job reductions, primarily in the areas of non-patient care, management and health system positions to ensure minimal impact on patient care, are not related to the health care system’s bankruptcy process. Instead Forum said, they are needed to “maintain a competitive position in the marketplace in the face of economic pressures impacting hospitals and health-scare providers both locally and across the country.”

Union leaders say they don’t know the extent to which the job reductions will impact their members. They do say, however that the 125 refers to full-time equivalencies, which means it could affect more than 125 individuals.

Union leaders are also seeking meetings with Forum officials to get more details about the job reductions.