Possible strike at MGH

[gitterbug]

It was announced on the local news here a strike is possible at MGH. Any comments from anyone who knows the situation? I understand the employees have been working for months without a contract. Local gossip was swirling last year that this facility was on the verge of closing. I do know that many physicians do not accept consults from the ER at this facility. There should be some official word within a week.

[RN Randy]

LOL... we gotta stop meeting like this.....

Heard a scab-alert the other day, so something must be on the horizon.

Any news is good news, so anyone with info, please feel free to post up.

rb

[Noryn]

I have never been to that hospital but a few years ago I thought I had heard administration started out with 9 million dollars and within a short time period, like a year or two it was down to 2 million. I havent heard of an update but it wouldnt surprise me if the hospital was in big trouble. It is ashame that funding and payment to these hospitals are forcing many to close. I drove by Man the other day for the first time in about 10 years and I was shocked. Their hospital had closed 5-8 years ago or so and that town looked dead. I remember going by a shopping plaza that looked deserted (of course I came through around 7 am) but 10 years ago it was a decent little plaza.

I dont know that we have any nurses on here from Montgomery but hopefully they will post if there are any.

[gitterbug]

I only know that this strike affects about 150 workers, not a large amount, but it will be devastating to the local economy. This place was supposted to be so far in the red about a year ago, employees were afraid to cash pay checks. That was a rumor that came directly from a local bank.

The reputation of this facility is the pits, most people I know avoid the place but some locals have no choice. I have not been there in quite a long time and I was visiting someone then. The nurses work hard, in fact, all of the staff I saw was very busy and seemed to be very dedicated to doing a good job, but physicians in the area have terrible reputations.

I seem to remember some problem with files not being disposed of properly at Man. I remember a few years ago when hundreds of files were found in the trash in Beckley from a physicians office who had left the area after a divorce.

Anyway, there has been no comments or further news on this strike. I do not think we will know what is happening until they either walk out or settle the dispute.

[RN Randy]

Yup, you're right... If you hear anything, post up and I'll do the same.

Hey, where are you guys? I'm in Chapmanville, and work in Chas.

rb

[gitterbug]

I have no official word on anything regarding the strike, but once again, word from the local bank is that today is one of the last paydays prior to the strike and the banks are expecting several of the employees to come in and attempt to either pay-off what they can, or attempt some type of refinancing of some loans. I was told that many of the employees who could retire have done so in the last month. The employees are expecting to lose their jobs, they say word is already buzzing at the facility that replacement travelling nurses are expected to be on the job within 15 minutes of the walk-out. There have been ads for LPN's and CNA's in the paper for a couple of weeks for the nursing home that is attached to the hospital. I do think the place is a sinking ship. So many of the physicians are older and have been saying they were going to cut back for the last year. Maybe this place will just turn into the largest nursing home in the area. Heavens knows there is plenty of need for one up here. We have the oldest population in the state and everyday we all just get older.

As I said this is just gossip from a friend who works at the bank, but her sister had worked at the facility for years and she retired in March.

[Noryn]

Where there is smoke there is fire. BTW I live in Teays Valley and work in Charleston.

[gitterbug]

Hi Noryn,

Yes, the rumors are swirling around here regarding this situation. I just hope no one loses a home over this. Well, you already know I am in the Oak Hill area. It is pretty down in the Teay's Valley area but with all of the growth there seems to be lots of traffic. I have been down to the Flea Market a few times. My favorite aunt lives close to the Mall. I used to go more but with the cost of gasoline, I am a home body more and more. LOL!

Hope you have a great weekend.

[gitterbug]

I spoke today with an employee of this facility who will be directly effected by this strike if it happens. He said some issues have been worked out, but the wage freeze for 3 years and the increase in insurance rates and copays are the main sticking points right now. He says the facility has wanted to borrow money from the union to keep the place going, but that may be a rumor started by both sides in this dispute. Everyone is holding their breath, waiting to see what will happen next.

[RN Randy]

Mercy... that doesn't sound like your everyday strike at all... sounds like the makings of a door closing... Hope that doesn't happen.

rb

[gitterbug]

Hi RB,

Yes it did sound very bad to me too. I know there were rumors about a year or so ago that over 12 million dollars was missing from the Laird Foundation fund that was set aside to help the facility keep the doors open when times were rough. In the past 2 administrators were let go under strange circumstances. A person would think that a 12 million dollar deficit would cause a lots of press and comments but in this area it seems normal. We are used to hearing about big money coming to the area for improvements but by the time the money passes through many hands, we are lucky if much gets done. Living in the hills, got to love it! LOL!

Have a blessed day.

[RN Randy]

LOL... you gots that right.

Well, they're still hanging in there it seems.

I spoke with an employee not long ago [RN] and she wasn't sure about much of anything. They are all in the dark I guess...?

rb