Union wants Rutland hospital employees

Rutland Regional Medical Center takes on some of the patients from the troubled Vermont State Hospital, the State Employees Association hopes to get hiring priority. The union, which represents 8,000 workers, told hospital officials their members should get hiring priority if a new psychiatric wing is built. Vermont officials have tried to close the state hospital for some time because it is not adequate to care for mental disorders and substance abuse. Reforms at the hospital have been on hold over how the state plans to proceed.