Hundreds of nurses at Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh have unionized in what union officials are calling the largest nurse union election in recent Pennsylvania history.According to a release from SEIU Sunday, a “strong majority” of nurses voted to form a union so they “can have more time with their patients and a seat at the decision-making table to ensure the highest standards of care.” The release stated that voting took place on Aug. 19 and 23, and that nurses voted 402 to 305 to join SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania. “Now, Magee nurses are welcoming all their coworkers to participate in negotiations no matter how they voted, and encouraging their advanced practitioner colleagues to join with them,” the release stated. Union officials said roughly 60 advanced practitioners – which include certified registered nurse practitioners, neonatal nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and others – are voting in a separate election. This will take place on Sept. 6 and 9. The release said nurses hope to inspire them and thousands of others throughout the Commonwealth to unite. “Magee nurses are the first nurse employees of UPMC, Pennsylvania’s largest private employer, to successfully form a union,” SEIU said in the release. “The election victory is part of a growing national trend of doctors, nurses, and other highly-skilled healthcare professionals unionizing so they can have a real say in their jobs and how they deliver care, alongside business and insurance executives.”Following the decision, UPMC issued a statement, which said the following: “We respect the decision of UPMC Magee nurses to unionize with the SEIU and look forward to building a respectful partnership. We remain committed to fostering a collaborative work environment focused on providing exceptional care for our patients.”UPMC said 800 nurses were eligible to vote in the election. Nurses, alongside elected officials and members of the community, will gather on Aug. 26 at Zulema Parklet across from Magee to celebrate their unionization and to call upon UPMC to negotiate a new contract. Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
PITTSBURGH —
Hundreds of nurses at Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh have unionized in what union officials are calling the largest nurse union election in recent Pennsylvania history.
According to a release from SEIU Sunday, a “strong majority” of nurses voted to form a union so they “can have more time with their patients and a seat at the decision-making table to ensure the highest standards of care.”
The release stated that voting took place on Aug. 19 and 23, and that nurses voted 402 to 305 to join SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania.
“Now, Magee nurses are welcoming all their coworkers to participate in negotiations no matter how they voted, and encouraging their advanced practitioner colleagues to join with them,” the release stated.
Union officials said roughly 60 advanced practitioners – which include certified registered nurse practitioners, neonatal nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and others – are voting in a separate election. This will take place on Sept. 6 and 9.
The release said nurses hope to inspire them and thousands of others throughout the Commonwealth to unite.
“Magee nurses are the first nurse employees of UPMC, Pennsylvania’s largest private employer, to successfully form a union,” SEIU said in the release. “The election victory is part of a growing national trend of doctors, nurses, and other highly-skilled healthcare professionals unionizing so they can have a real say in their jobs and how they deliver care, alongside business and insurance executives.”
Following the decision, UPMC issued a statement, which said the following:
“We respect the decision of UPMC Magee nurses to unionize with the SEIU and look forward to building a respectful partnership. We remain committed to fostering a collaborative work environment focused on providing exceptional care for our patients.”
UPMC said 800 nurses were eligible to vote in the election.
Nurses, alongside elected officials and members of the community, will gather on Aug. 26 at Zulema Parklet across from Magee to celebrate their unionization and to call upon UPMC to negotiate a new contract.
Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.