With the labor contract for more than 800 employees at Regional Hospital of Scranton ending today, a member of the union's bargaining committee said negotiations Wednesday ended with little progress.
Melanie Lewis, a medical social worker who is participating in negotiations with hospital administrators, said employees remain at odds with management regarding key parts of the contract.
"I think everybody is saddened," she said of the negotiations. "We could have had more progress."
Key issues for employees in the contract negotiations are pay increases, threats to outsourcing jobs and staffing levels.
Members of the members of the Service Employees International Healthcare Pennsylvania at the hospital will vote Friday whether to continue negotiating, accept a contract, picket or strike.
Ms. Lewis said she remains optimistic that hospital administration will compromise and help come to an agreement. As an example of the gulf between workers and hospital administration, she said employees have asked for a 4 percent raise but were offered a 0.75 percent raise.
"We really want to get a good contract and really want it to be fair," she said. "That's what we're asking for."
James P. McGuire, spokesman for Regional Hospital of Scranton, said the hospital remains committed to appropriate staffing and appreciates employees who deliver quality care and service, citing no elimination of positions since for-profit Community Health Systems bought the nonprofit hospital in 2011.
Related to staffing, Mr. McGuire said the hospital continues to "actively" recruit to fill some current open positions but would not comment on specific details of negotiations.
"We are hopeful that the union will bargain with us in good faith and not resort to threats of strike and other disruptions," he said. "However, we will always be prepared to ensure uninterrupted care for our patients."
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