PITTSBURGH — Nurses at UPMC Western Psych have unanimously voted to authorize a strike.
The nurses authorized the strike on Monday. The union representing the nurses, SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, says they’ve grown “increasingly alarmed” as UPMC has closed dozens of beds throughout the facility because it’s understaffed. The nurses argue that closed beds, understaffing and turnover undermine Western Psych’s ability to handle the “growing mental health and substance abuse crisis in the region.”
“We are in an all-out, national mental health emergency and UPMC’s lack of investment has seriously curtailed Western Psych’s capacity to face this crisis,” said Dr. Kenneth Thompson
The nurses want UPMC to invest its resources into retaining and recruiting nurses so Western Psych is “fully operational” and patients receive “effective treatment.”
SEIU says the nurses have been negotiating a new union contract with UPMC since Aug. 1.
A strike date has not yet been set.
UPMC sent Channel 11 the following statement:
UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital is committed to supporting our employees, patients and community. Contract negotiations between the parties are ongoing, and the hospital continues to bargain in good faith.
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