SEIU Files NLRB Complaint against Northside
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Employees of Northside Medical Center represented by the Service Employees International Union Tuesday filed federal unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board because the union says the hospital has failed to bargain in good faith, the union announced.
SEIU District 1199 represents more than 300 professional, technical and other employees at Northside, one of three hospitals here operated by ValleyCare Health System of Ohio. ValleyCare is owned by Community Health Systems Inc., based in Franklin, Tenn.
Hospital employees will meet privately with the union bargaining committee today to discuss and vote on next steps.
The next bargaining sessions are scheduled Sept. 29 and Oct. 28.
“Northside Medical Center remains committed to the collective bargaining process,” said Trish Hrina, spokeswoman for ValleyCare, in a statement responding to the SEIU release.
“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,” she added.
Employees represented by SEIU District 1199 began negotiations with ValleyCare nearly eight months ago and have been working without a contract since April 1, according to a press release the union issued.
Since talks began, ValleyCare executives have agreed to meet as little as once per month, and have canceled scheduled bargaining sessions, the union says.
“In our community and at our hospital, workers and management have a history of coming together and negotiating a fair contract that preserves the quality care and services as well as allows the workers to have dignity, rights and respect on the job,” said Chrissy Heineman, administrative organizer and chief negotiator at Northside for District 1199 WV/KY/OH.
“Workers at Northside Medical Center are asking the community to stand with them once again as they fight to preserve good jobs and quality care here in the Mahoning Valley,” she added.
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