UPMC Magee nurses back union push
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More than 800 nurses at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Oakland have unionized with SEIU Healthcare following one of Pennsylvania's largest nurse elections in at least a decade.
Why it matters: Nurses at Magee are now among the first in the hospital system to unionize — a landmark moment after years of organizing efforts at the facility, per the union.
- Organizers hope the win will serve as a bellwether for other union pushes at UPMC.
By the numbers: Nurses last week voted 402-305 to join the union.
What they're saying: "I love being a nurse at Magee, and in many ways our hospital is a wonderful place to work, but we need a united voice to advocate for our patients and the future of our profession," said Ashley Grieco, a registered nurse in Magee's neonatal intensive care unit, in a statement.
Friction point: SEIU Healthcare and supporters accused the health care giant of trying to derail the union campaign by hiring outside consultants and using tactics that created "an atmosphere of tension and confusion in the workplace," per an SEIU news release.
- Past attempts to unionize Magee have failed amid pushback from UPMC leadership, the union said.
Flashback: Magee nurses announced plans to unionize in May, citing inadequate staffing levels, nurse retention and communication concerns with executive leadership.
- UPMC challenged the petition, claiming, in part, that some senior nurses were supervisors and ineligible to vote. The National Labor Relations Board rejected the claim and green-lit the election.
The other side: "We respect the decision of UPMC Magee nurses to unionize with SEIU and look forward to building a strong and respectful partnership," a UPMC spokesperson said in a statement. "We remain committed to fostering a collaborative work environment focused on providing exceptional care for our patients."
The intrigue: The union drive has drawn state and national attention, with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) voicing support for Magee nurses on X last week.
Stunning stat: The hospital delivers nearly half of Allegheny County's babies each year and treats 1,500 sick newborns in its specialized NICU.
The big picture: Unionization is growing more popular among hospital workers in Southwestern Pennsylvania and nationwide as the post-pandemic industry faces staffing shortages and worker burnout.
What's next: Nurses, elected officials and more will rally at 1pm today at Zulema Parklet, across from Magee, urging the health care giant to begin contract talks without further delays.
- Roughly 60 advanced practitioners at the hospital, from nurse practitioners to midwives, will hold their own union vote on Sept. 6 and 9.