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December 14, 2004NMH negotiating session comes up shortManagement spars with union attorneyByRecord-Eagle staff writer PETOSKEY - Another 2½ hours of negotiating between Northern Michigan Hospital management and the union representing striking nurses netted no contract but more acrimony. NMH officials in a recent newsletter discussed the lack of progress at the most recent negotiating session, and accused Teamsters Local 406 attorney Ted Iorio of "repeatedly conceding the union's goal of trying to harm the hospital, and threatening to continue efforts to hurt the hospital." Iorio called management's claims "nonsense." "What was said was the dispute has hurt the hospital. The failure of the hospital to bargain in good faith has caused the documented hurt the hospital has experienced," he said. Iorio said he was referring to the hospital's $11 million operating loss in 2003, reduced patient loads and the loss of striking nurses "with a tremendous amount of experience." NMH spokeswoman Barbara Allen said management stands by its characterization of Iorio's statements in the negotiating session. Nearly half of the hospital's then-470 nurses went on strike on Nov. 14, 2002, seeking better pay and benefits, reduced patient-to-nurse ratios and a greater say in patient care. The walkout is the longest nursing strike in U.S. history. Hospital management in their newsletter called the strike period "two years of union attacks." The two sides have agreed to another bargaining session on Jan. 5.
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