But Lanigan pointed out that because North General was a hospital facility it required different needs from its staff, whereas IFH will be running clinics at the former hospital's location.

"From our vantage point, it's apples and bananas," he said.


Of the 900-odd 1199-represented employees, about 60 worked in the clinic, explained 1199's Gonzalez. The union is fighting to get these clinic employees jobs with the new management.

Kate Fahy, spokeswoman for IFH's Family Health Center at North General, told DOTmed News that because the hiring process is still underway, the institute could not provide specific numbers regarding how many former North General employees had been hired.

But Gonzalez said as of July 9 -- the first day of the picket lines -- seven of the 60-some clinic employees were hired, but now only four remain.

"We demand that IFH rehire all 60 former clinic employees," read a statement from 1199 e-mailed to DOTmed News.

The picket lines--active every day the clinics are open--will continue until a resolution is reached, said Gonzalez. In fact, picketers have successfully rerouted clinic patients from the IFH clinics to Boriken, an 1199-affiliated clinic two blocks away, she said.

"The reports have not seen an increase in new patients," Gonzalez told DOTmed News.

North General Hospital filed for bankruptcy on June 28, unable to pay its $200-million debt.

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