Area reps to Valley: Hit Forum's creditors where it hurts

YOUNGSTOWN

State and local governments and Mahoning Valley residents should withdraw their money from secured creditors’ banks if the creditors stand in the way of Ardent Health Services’ attempt to purchase Forum Health, state Rep. Robert Hagan told a labor rally in downtown Youngstown.

“If you continue to try to tear our hearts out, we’re going to hit you in the only place you ever hurt — the bottom line,” Hagan said of bank executives at a Thursday rally outside J.P.Morgan Chase Bank, one of the secured creditors.

Hagan was flanked by state Rep. Ron Gerberry of Austintown, D-59th, and state Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Canfield, D-33rd, as he spoke to the press and Forum workers and their union leaders. Those leaders were from American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Ohio Council 8, the Ohio Nurses Association and Service Employees International Union District 1199.

As Hagan spoke, Gerberry and Schiavoni held turnips to illustrate the message the creditors could not get blood from a turnip.

“It’s time for J.P.Morgan and the rest of the Wall Street gang to understand that they can’t squeeze any more out of Forum’s workers and this community,” Hagan said, adding that Forum’s workers already have made

$70 million worth of concessions to keep Forum’s doors open.

For the full story, read Friday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.