Hundreds of Allegheny General Hospital nurses rallied last week while announcing plans for a strike authorization vote. <\/p>\n
A three-year union contract for 1,500 nurses expires on Tuesday. The nurses will hold a strike authorization vote on Thursday if a new contract is not reached by then.<\/p>\n
The union, SEIU Healthcare PA, says it wants Allegheny Health Network to invest more in its staff as patient numbers grow. <\/p>\n
Pittsburgh City Councilman Bobby Wilson was at the rally on the city\u2019s North Side and said that the nurses have the support of all of city council. <\/p>\n
\u201cThese individuals are so important to our healthcare system…that\u2019s really gonna support their families as well,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
AHN spokesperson Dan Laurent says the hospital system is bargaining in good faith with the nurses. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe take great pride at AHN in offering employees at every level, including both represented and non-represented members of the workforce, wages and benefits that are fair and competitive in the market, and a work-life experience that is fulfilling and conducive to the delivery of high-quality healthcare services,\u201d his statement to WPXI said in part. <\/p>\n
The soon-to-expire union contract was reached in 2023 after nurses nearly went on strike. SEIU says the agreement included improvements to nurse-to-patient staffing ratios and the first-ever $40 starting wage rate in the region for nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. <\/p>\n
The nurses say they\u2019re seeking a contract that invests in staffing levels, compensation that encourages retention, and protects benefits like affordable healthcare and time off.<\/p>\n
Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n