In February, Altoona Nurses took to the streets of Altoona
and Pittsburgh by the hundreds—braving snow and freezing temps--to send UPMC a
strong message: Patients before Profits!
Six months ago—after acquiring Altoona Regional Health
System and becoming Blair County’s largest employer---UPMC promised a standard of
excellence for Altoona patients, nurses and the community.[1] Six months later, however, the story has
changed.
During contract negotiations with unionized Altoona nurses,
UPMC has pushed for a range of changes that would lower the quality of jobs, limit
nurses right to advocate for adequate staffing and quality patient care, and
refused the Union’s proposed training and partnership with management to help
improve patient outcomes.
On Febuary 1st UPMC walked away from negotiations, despite
nurses’ commitment to continue discussions, so 800 nurses voted for a one-day
unfair labor practice strike. [2]
And on Tuesday, February 11, hundreds of the Registered
Nurses of UPMC Altoona took to the picket lines to advocate for good jobs and quality
care for the Altoona community.[3]
The sense of solidarity on
the picket line was palpable. The nurses' determination
was fueled by the continual flow of cars
honking their support, and the generous deliveries of food and coffee
by local businesses. They marched and chanted through the snow until it
was time for a candlelight vigil, to mark the seriousness of their protest.[4]
However when the nurses returned to work the next day—after
90% had participated in the one-day unfair labor practice strike the day prior—many
were turned away. Instead, UPMC is
spending millions on expensive out-of-state temporary nurses. [5]
“UPMC says it does not have the resources to maintain our current
contract, yet they can needlessly waste millions on temps,” said Paulla
Stellabotte, RN. “This clearly
demonstrates UPMC’s misplaced priorities—wasting money rather than investing in
the future of healthcare for our community.”[6]
But rather than take this lying down, and after 2 days of
picketing in bitter cold, more
than 100 nurses from UPMC’s Altoona hospital and their supporters[7] came
to Pittsburgh to bring their concerns about staffing, benefits and patient care
straight to “the boss” at UPMC corporate headquarters on Thursday,
February 13th. They roared down Grant Street with chants and
pickets flying, making sure that Jeffery Romoff got the message loud and clear:
Patients before Profits!
[1] Press Release, Feb 11 “Hundreds of UPMC Altoona RNs
Begin One Day Unfair Labor Practice Strike…” (File Name: Press Release- STRIKE)
[2] Press Release, Feb 11 “Hundreds of UPMC Altoona RNs
Begin One Day Unfair Labor Practice Strike…” (File Name: Press Release- STRIKE)
[3] Press Release, Feb 11 “Hundreds of UPMC Altoona RNs
Begin One Day Unfair Labor Practice Strike…” (File Name: Press Release- STRIKE)
[4] Description from Karma Lord, who was present
[5] Press Release, Feb 12 “Registered Nurses at UPMC
Altoona Return ….” (File name: Lockout Press Release)
[6] Press Release, Feb 12 “Registered Nurses at UPMC
Altoona Return ….” (File name: Lockout Press Release)
[7] Press Release, Feb 13, “100+ Striking Nurses...”(File
name: Press Release Altoona RN in Pittsburgh)
