Negotiations scheduled; picketing planned by Northside nurses

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Contract negotiations between registered nurses at ValleyCare Northside Medical Center and the hospital’s owner are scheduled for Aug. 15 and 16.

However, members of the Youngstown General Duty Nurses Association, who previously authorized its union’s negotiating team to give a 10-day strike notice to ValleyCare Health System of Ohio, Northside’s owner, plans informational picketing.

The union also plans to distribute pamphlets in the community in an effort to make its case with the public, said Eric Williams, YDGNA president.

Staffing levels and wages are the primary issues, William said after one of three membership meetings conducted at 8 a.m., and 4 and 8 p.m. Wednesday to update the nurses on negotiations.

Williams said the membership is concerned over ValleyCare’s unwillingness to negotiate. The union is available 24/7, he said.

There has been insignificant progress in negotiations, and the membership hopes through informational picketing and distribution of pamphlets to persuade ValleyCare to bargain differently, Williams said.

Nurses are seeking to put more in their pay checks and ValleyCare wants to reduce pay checks, he said.

The YGDNA represents about 400 registered nurses at Northside on Gypsy Lane. Their work agreement expired July 19.