By Zach Patberg
Parkway officials also assured employees that the hospital would cover their benefits until a joint committee of hospital and union officials agreed on a payment plan, which they said would come in the next few weeks.”I am pleased to tell you that the union and the hospital have resolved their differences and will work together for Parkway's future,” Parkway President Robert Aquino told employees, many of whom had been ready Friday to devote their lunch breaks to picketing outside the Forest Hills Hospital wearing buttons reading “Shame on Parkway.”The problems between the large hospital workers union and Parkway peaked in late March when the union's benefit fund won a court order requiring the hospital to reimburse a $13 million debt accrued since 2001. Earlier that month, the fund — Parkway's largest creditor — also terminated its health coverage until the money was paid.1199 spokesman Chris Fleming said the hospital has until midnight on May 23 to draw up a viable payment package before the union resumes legal action. Fleming did, however, seem receptive to an installment plan, signaling a more lenient attitude in light of the union's previous demand that the debt be paid in full after Parkway failed in several past payment plans.Aquino's assurances of stability brought mixed responses from employees.”He has promised us a lot of stuff and it has fallen through,” said one veteran nurse and union member, who gave only his first name, Alexander. He said he takes 12 different medications — a two-week $700 supply he could not afford without prescription coverage. Alexander and other employees said Parkway's financial straits have caused numerous nurses, aides and assistants to leave their jobs.Jeff Chianfagna, a physician assistant in the emergency room, noted the rise and fall of morale since Aquino took over the hospital in July. While Chianfagna is not a union member, he said the benefit cuts have affected him indirectly since his much-valued nursing staff in ER has dropped from about five to three per shift recently.”(Aquino) was doing a lot of good turning the hospital around and people's spirits started to rise,” he said, referring to Aquino's ambitious attempts to lift the hospital out of the huge debt left by the previous owners. “Then this started twisting the scenario around. Everyone has a breaking point.”For Alexander, that point may have arrived. He said he has a security job lined up that he will take if the situation at Parkway is not resolved in the next two weeks.”I'm definitely nervous,” said Modesto Camacho, a six-year physical therapist with concerns about health coverage for his son. “I hope (the hospital) hangs on there long enough to fix it.”Reach reporter Zach Patberg by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 155.
