Forum Health nurses rescind intent to strike

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By WILLIAM K. ALCORN

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — There is hope that the nurses union at Forum Health won't be on the picket lines soon.

Union officials said sufficient progress was made during an 18-hour negotiating session Thursday and Friday for the Youngstown General Duty Nurses Association to rescind its notice of intent to strike against the health-care system.

Eric Williams, union president, said talks will resume Monday morning.

The nurses' contract, which was to expire at midnight Thursday, will remain in effect for the time being, Williams said.

The nurses union had issued a strike notice Monday, and by state law would not have been able to strike for 10 days after that.

Williams said the last negotiating session went from about 10 a.m. Thursday to 4 a.m. Friday.

Forum Health called the progress made toward renewal of a work agreement during the marathon bargaining session "significant."

The YGDNA/Ohio Nurses Association represents some 600 registered nurses at Northside Medical Center and Beeghly Medical Park in Boardman.

Pleased

David Regan, president of Service Employees International Union District 1199, said he is pleased to learn "that ... a decision was made to rescind the 10-day strike notice."

District 1199, which earlier this year agreed to a new contract, represents about 1,400 employees at Forum Health's Western Reserve Care System, which includes Northside and Beeghly Medical Park. SEIU members are also at Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren.

Regan said he is also pleased to learn that Forum Health officials have committed to cease all plans to reduce services in anticipation of a work stoppage.

Forum Health nurses rescind intent to strike

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