News

March 12, 2010

Nurses union files charges

By Jerry Lynott jlynott@timesleader.com
Business Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – Unionized nurses at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital Thursday filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board, claiming hospital management was bargaining in bad faith.

The filing by members of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals came two days after their latest negotiating session with the hospital.

The two sides have been meeting since Community Health Systems Inc. acquired assets of Wyoming Valley Health Care System last May for $271 million and switched the hospital’s status to for-profit from nonprofit.

“There was no progress on Tuesday,” said Bill Cruice, executive director of the union.

But the union, which represents more than 400 registered nurses, is still willing to meet with hospital officials, he said.

The willingness to continue signals there is no impasse, a key factor in the filing, Cruice explained.

With the acquisition last year, the hospital agreed to continue the existing contract as long as there is no impasse. There was a wage scale in the contract which included a wage increase in February. The hospital refused to pay the higher wages, said Cruice.

“They have to maintain that wage scale we believe is part of the status quo,” he said.

Another issue in the filing deals with the hospital’s change of health care plans, added Cruice. Employees who leave want to continue with their old health care coverage, but the hospital is forcing them to take its plan, he said.

In a prepared statement, the hospital said it has bargained in good faith and in accordance with labor laws.

“Our nurses are vital members of our care team and we hold them in high regard. Though we are frustrated to learn of this latest development, we remain hopeful that we will reach a formal agreement through negotiations soon,” the statement said.

Jerry Lynott, a Times Leader staff writer, can be contacted at 570 829-7237.

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