ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — A group of Cayuga Health nurses are working toward forming a union. 

Following an authorization vote to unionize under the Communications Workers of America, Centralus Health Chief People Officer Herb Alexander tells 607 News Now while the health group isn’t anti-union, he’d like to see a different solution.

Alexander says the timing now for a union is not good.

A grievance cited by nurses include staffing concerns. Alexander says that’s an industry-wide issue that isn’t exclusive to the Ithaca area.

A union vote is tentatively scheduled for January. Centralus Health was formed earlier this year following the merger of Cayuga Health and Arnot Health.

FULL INTERVIEW: Centralus Health Chief People Officer Herb Alexander on Ithaca’s Morning News