Allegheny General Hospital nurses rally as union contract nears expiration

Hundreds of Allegheny General Hospital nurses rallied last week while announcing plans for a strike authorization vote.

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.

The union, SEIU Healthcare PA, says it wants Allegheny Health Network to invest more in its staff as patient numbers grow.

Pittsburgh City Councilman Bobby Wilson was at the rally on the city’s North Side and said that the nurses have the support of all of city council.

“These individuals are so important to our healthcare system...that’s really gonna support their families as well,” he said.

AHN spokesperson Dan Laurent says the hospital system is bargaining in good faith with the nurses.

“We 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,” his statement to WPXI said in part.

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.

The nurses say they’re seeking a contract that invests in staffing levels, compensation that encourages retention, and protects benefits like affordable healthcare and time off.

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