Contract negotiations between the Ohio Nurses Union and East Liverpool City Hospital continue.

The hospital is providing the union with one last and final wage increase offer.

 

The union sent 21 News a statement today saying they are at an impasse because the hospital is refusing to negotiate with the nurses, and the offer would decrease some salaries by about eight percent.

The union said in a statement:

"East Liverpool City Hospital announced on Facebook yesterday that it refuses to negotiate with its registered nurses and their union. The hospital is instead imposing a portion of what it deems their last, best, and final offer. The Ohio Nurses Association (ONA), which represents the 130 registered nurses at the hospital, has repeatedly told hospital management the nurses want to negotiate a resolution to the dispute and bargaining is not an impasse because ONA remains open-minded and flexible in its positions.

The hospital responded Friday night by saying, "A recent statement made by the Ohio Nurses Association suggesting that 'Prime has decided to use this pandemic as a way to exploit nurses' is not only offensive, but extremely unprofessional in nature."

 

The hospital went on to say no nurses are receiving a reduction in wage.

The nurses will vote on the employer's offer, with a date and time to be determined.