After talks that continued until late into the night, Forum Health's Northside Medical Center and the 1,200 women and men represented by SEIU District 1199 reached a tentative agreement that will put the hospital on the path to financial stability and allow for employees to continue to deliver the five-star quality care the Mahoning Valley relies on.

Among the concessions agreed to at Northside Hospital were wage freezes, increased contributions to health insurance, and stopping 401k contributions made by the employer.

Bankruptcy hearings scheduled for Monday, July 27, 2009, have now been delayed pending ratification of the tentative agreement by Forum Health and the Union. The Board of Directors for Forum Health will vote later today on the agreement, and Northside employees will hold their vote on Friday from 7:30 am to 8:30 pm at MetroPlex. Full presentations of the tenative agreement will be held at 8am, Noon, 2pm and 8pm.