Many of you are aware that INA has been negotiating with Maryville Behavioral Health Hospital to work out a fair contract for the 26 nurses who work there.  

Unfortunately, our negotiations have been stymied by Maryville's unfair labor practices and lack of good-faith negotiating. 

Recently, Maryville informed the INA that they intend to file their application seeking a permit to close the last week in March and will be seeking to get on the agenda for  the June 3 meeting of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board.   

Maryville informed the INA that the reason for the closure is financial, stating that the hospital lost $4 million dollars last year, and is on track to lose that amount in the current fiscal year. INA has made a thorough request of Maryville Academy's financial records, and we have reason to question the financial necessity of the closure. While Maryville has informed us that the hospital has lost money every year since Maryville Academy acquired it, Maryville's financial statement as of the year ending June 30, 2010 indicates otherwise that for at least one year, the hospital created a surplus. Therefore, INA has made thorough request for information, so that we can examine the financial necessity of the closure.

Closing Maryville is the worst possible decision for at-risk patients, nurses and the communities affected.  We are uring all parties to come together to seek a resolution that is in the best interest of all parties.

To further emphasize our point, we will be distributing an OP/ED column for daily and community news papers stating our point of view.  Look for that to be published soon.

As always, watch our Facebook Page and email announcements for updates.

In Solidarity,

Alice J. Johnson

INA Executive Director

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