Forum reaches tentative pact with nurses

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The union's negotiators plan to recommend ratification, its chief says.

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — Forum Health and the union representing 600 registered nurses at Northside Medical Center and Beeghly Medical Park have reached a tentative agreement on a one-year contract.

In a joint statement, the two parties said an "agreement in principle" was reached Tuesday morning.

Eric Williams, president of the Youngstown General Duty Nurses Association/Ohio Nurses Association, said the union will conduct ratification voting sessions Friday, at 8 a.m. and 4 and 8 p.m., at the Operating Engineers Local 656 Building, 291 McClurg Road in Boardman.

Williams said the union's negotiating team intends to recommend ratification to its members.

Tentative accord was reached after intensive bargaining the last two weeks, including two sessions totaling some 24 hours Monday and Tuesday, Williams said.

Forum's Board of Trustees met Tuesday evening and was expected to vote on the pact, a Forum Health spokesman said.

Securing the future

The one-year contract will help build a more secure future for Northside Medical Center and ensure continued high-quality health care in the Mahoning Valley, the joint statement says.

It also says the negotiating committees are finalizing work on contract language this week.

"The agreement provides significant cost savings and flexibility while maintaining a competitive compensation package for Western Reserve Care System and its registered nurses," it said. WRCS includes Northside and Beeghly.

Contract negotiations were assisted by Doug Corwon, a mediator with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Also, Ohio Atty. Gen. Marc Dann, a longtime Youngstown resident, was an active participant, according to the statement.

alcorn@vindy.com

Wednesday, July 25, 2007