Union Leader Sees Northside Dispute Part of Wider 'Plan'
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Labor leaders outside Northside Medical Center this morning warned that the standoff between the union representing registered nurses there and Northside’s owners is just the first step. “You know that if they break the nurses here in Youngstown, ... there is a plan, right?” Nate Gunderson, an organizer with the American Federation of Teachers, told picketers.
Members of the Youngstown General Duty Nurses Association walked off the job at 7 a.m. without incident for a one-day strike to protest the state of negotiations with Northside. The bargaining unit has been without a new contract for more than a year.
Some 400 pickets were gathered outside the hospital this morning, said Minh Nguyen, AFT assistant director. The Ohio Nurses Association, which YGDNA is affiliated with, partnered with AFT earlier this year.
“I can’t think of anything more powerful than watching you nurses walk out of that hospital this morning, You are so courageous and strong,” remarked Kelly Trautner, ONA deputy director. “We’re going to get a contract that gives you the voice to speak up for your patients and protect your community.”
Northside is a unit of ValleyCare Health System of Ohio, a subsidiary of Nashville-based Community Health System Inc., which formed ValleyCare after it purchased the assets of the now-defunct Forum Health Inc.
“This hospital doesn’t run right without you,” Gunderson said. “You know that things have changed since CHS came to town, right?” He pointed out to the announced plans by CHS and the Cleveland Clinic to purchase the assets of Akron General Health System. “So this isn’t about Youngstown. This is about Ohio. This is about nursing care in Ohio. This is about how patients will be treated in Ohio.” CHS also is considering the purchase of the Sharon Regional Health System in Sharon, Pa.
Steve Rooney, president of the National Federation of Nurses, took the warning a step further. “You are out here also on the front lines of the battle for nurses across the country because what’s going on here in Youngstown is going on across the country,” he said.
Northside issued a statement shortly after 8 a.m. announcing that it is “continuing to provide high-quality care for its patients” during the strike. “All inpatient, outpatient and emergency services are available and diagnostic procedures are taking place as scheduled,” according to the news release.
“The hospital has fully prepared for the strike and all areas are staffed with highly skilled nurses and other health professionals. Teams of qualified, experienced, temporary replacement nurses are working to ensure uninterrupted, quality care for patients,” the statement continued.
Northside’s public entrances remain open and the hospital has increased security personnel and patrols.
MORE COVERAGE:
Northside Hospital Says Strike Doesn't Impact Care
Union, Hospital Filing Charges as Nurses Stage Strike
Northside Files Unfair Labor Charges, Threatens Firings
Legislators Urge Northside to Resume Negotiations
ValleyCare Prepares for 1-Day strike at Northside
Copyright 2013 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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