Ribbon-cutting set for Hospice in Salem

Ribbon-cutting set for Hospice in Salem

SALEM

A ribbon-cutting at the new location for Hospice of the Valley in Salem, at 2388 Southeast Blvd., Suite B, will take place at 11 a.m. Sept. 17.

Representatives from the Salem Chamber, Hospice board members and city officials will participate in the event. Light refreshments will be available.

For information and to register, call Danielle or Lynn at 330-337-3182.

NE Ohio gas prices continue falling

YOUNGSTOWN

Northeast Ohio gas prices have fallen 19 cents per gallon of unleaded self-serve gasoline, according to AAA East Central’s Fuel Gauge Report.

The national average is about $2.39. This week’s Northeast Ohio average price is about $ 2.19; the average price during the week of Aug. 31 was about $2.38.

Labor Day brought consumers the lowest national average gas prices in more than a decade.

As long as crude-oil prices remain low and refineries continue to operate without issues over the remaining months of the year, with fewer travelers on the road, prices should continue to decline.

An increase in scheduled refinery maintenance for this year, however, may slow the rate of price declines.

Next Wednesday, many areas of the country will switch to a winter-blend gasoline. This typically lowers gas prices, as well.

Some Northeast Ohio area prices Monday were Alliance, about $2.24; Ashtabula, $2.34; Niles, $2.05; and Youngstown, $2.10.

SEIU at Northside mulls filing charges

YOUNGSTOWN

The Service Employees International Union District 1199, which represents some 300 professional, technical and other employees at ValleyCare’s Northside Medical Center, is considering filing unfair labor practice charges against ValleyCare with the National Labor Relations Board for failing to bargain in good faith.

The union began negotiations nearly eight months ago with ValleyCare executives beginning Jan. 29. It has been working without a contract since April 1.

Since talks began, ValleyCare executives have agreed only to meet as little as once per month and have even canceled scheduled bargaining sessions, said Chrissy Heineman, administrative organizer and chief negotiator for SEIU District 1199.

The next scheduled bargaining dates are set for Sept. 29 and Oct. 28.

In a statement Tuesday, Trish Hrina, ValleyCare’s vice president of marketing and public relations, said: “Northside Medical Center remains committed to the collective-bargaining process.

The parties are working through the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and the hospital will continue to negotiate in good faith toward a new agreement with the Service Employees International Union District 1199.”

Staff reports