Nurses at Mercy Regional Medical Center in Lorain issue 10-day strike notice

LORAIN, Ohio - More than 500 registered nurses have issued a 10-day strike notice to Mercy Regional Medical Center in Lorain.

This, after they say hospital executives from Cincinnati-based Catholic Health Partners failed to bargain in good faith. The nurses say they are concerned that executives are making decisions that are not aligned to the needs of the community.

"Executives look at this hospital and its patients as a balance sheet and numbers, as demonstrated by their misplaced priorities at the bargaining table," said Al Bacon, Secretary-Treasurer of the Service Employees International District 1199 and chief negotiator for the registered nurses. "The nurses are worried that decisions being made behind closed doors in secret corporate meetings will put the quality care this community relies on at great risk. Rather than dealing with the real problems at Mercy Regional Medical Center, executives are focusing on financial gain which may force nurses to strike if an agreement cannot be reached."

The strike notice was delivered Monday morning.

If an agreement is not reached, they plan to begin their strike on Oct. 19 beginning at noon.