Health care workers feel cost-cutting pressure

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Brooks Memorial Hospital and its largest union reached a tentative contract last week, after five months of talks – but only after a federal mediator was brought in, there was picketing outside the Dunkirk facility and a union voted to authorize a strike.

In Niagara County, the jobs of as many as 60 full-time employees are in jeopardy as Eastern Niagara Hospital ended inpatient care at its Newfane site as of Friday.