The Akron General Health System asked two separate unions for concessions, contending it is struggling to avoid staff layoffs.
The request was made to the United Steelworkers local 1014, which represents clerical and support staff, and the Professional Staff Nurses Association. Each bargaining unit includes about 800 members.
USW Local President Tim O'Daniel called the request shocking, especially since a new five year contract was completed last April.
Refusing to give specific details, O'Daniel called the proposed cuts "deep, and sweeping."
He says union response will come only AFTER its' financial experts weigh in on the health system's woes.
TIM O'DANIEL: "Before we make any kind of decision or determination, we've asked for, and did receive, a lot of their financial records to determine whether or not we believe there's even a need to open up the contract."
O'Daniel says the response of the Nurses union will not change what his membership votes to do, as many of his groups' concerns are unique.
Hospital spokesman Jim Gosky said concessions are not the only cost-savings the health system will investigate.
JIM GOSKY: "It's part of a bigger picture. I think the first steps were taken a month or so ago, when there were cuts made at top management."
Those cuts eliminated several upper-level management positions, and reduced the pay of CEO Alan Bleyer by 10%.
2008 was the first time in at least six years the health system had posted a financial loss.
