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PITTSBURGH — A crowd of nurses, supporters and local leaders gathered for a rally near Allegheny General Hospital on Tuesday, calling for higher wages amid contract negotiations.
“Patients over profits” was at one time chanted during the event, which began at noon within the Allegheny Commons Park.
“We’re in a crisis right now. Nursing is in a crisis. Health care is in a crisis. We’re asking nurses to do more and more with less and less, and it’s causing unsafe conditions for our patients,” Annale Yobbi said.
Yobbi has worked as a LifeFlight nurse with Allegheny Health Network for more than 30 years and also serves as the Chapter Vice President for the nurses’ union.
Nurses who are a part of the union voted last week to authorize their negotiation committee to deliver notice of a potential strike.
RELATED COVERAGE >> Allegheny General Hospital nurses authorize potential strike amid contract negotiations
The nurses are asking for a $40 per hour minimum wage for nurses, as well as significant increases for mid-career and senior nurses.
“Wages are a big part of the problem,” Yobbi said. “We know what it’s going to take to bring people in the door and keep them there.”
When asked if a strike is looming, Yobbi told Channel 11 they’re “not at that point yet,” as the parties are “still negotiating in good faith.”
An AHN spokesman sent Channel 11 a statement saying the hospital is looking forward to reaching a fair and competitive contract. The full statement reads:
“We continue to negotiate in good faith with our represented nurses at AGH and look forward to reaching a contract that is fair and competitive for those employees, while also financially responsible for our organization. We are committed to offering employees at every level – including both represented and non-represented members of the workforce – wages and benefits that are competitive in the market, and a work-life experience that is fulfilling, and conducive to the delivery of high-quality health care services.”
Channel 11 asked the spokesman what plans are in place for patients in the event that a strike does take place. We have yet to receive a response.
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Nurses, local leaders gather for rally amid AHN contract negotiations - WPXI Pittsburgh
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