Union Calls for One-Day Strike at ACMH Hospital
More than 100 ACMH technicians and Licensed Practical Nurses were represented during an informational protest earlier this month, but a strike has been scheduled after two bargaining sessions. (KP File Photo)
An informational protest by nearly 125 ACMH technicians and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) at the beginning of the month initially led to some progressive bargaining, but things have since changed course.
Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals union officials announced yesterday that a one-day strike over unfair labor practices and ongoing bargaining issues has been scheduled to begin at 7AM Tuesday, March 31.
According to union officials, hospital administrators have informed union representatives that they intend to lock out staff for two additional days – causing the union to pursue charges with the National Labor Relations Board.
The technicians and LPNs voted overwhelmingly to join the union in June, and have had 25 bargaining sessions with hospital administrators since August.
The informational picket March 4 at the hospital entrance and close to the emergency room doors led both sides to ‘return to the table’ twice – including just a few days later - , but ACMH officials have reportedly refused to negotiate any improvements to staffing - the issue at the center of union members’ concerns.
Staff staffing is the main issue why union members are battling hospital administrators.
Union Co-President Angelique Richards said earlier this month after the first of the two bargaining sessions that staff members have “a huge community support.”
“When someone with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder doesn’t get their treatments, they slowly suffocate,” Richards, a respiratory therapist, said in a news release. “That wouldn’t happen if they were getting the treatments that the doctors have ordered.
How am I supposed to choose between which patient gets a treatment when I’m too short staffed to care for all of my patients? I’m not God. How am I supposed to make a decision in a dangerous situation like this?”
According to the union, the hospital has continued to commit unfair labor practices against the technicians and LPNs, even within the few days since the union delivered the 10-day strike notice. Such new charges will also be filed against the hospital will soon be filed with the National Labor Relations Board.
PASNAP Staff Representative Curtis Dahn and lead negotiator for the union denounced ACMH’s approach to bargaining.
“ACMH should recognize and respect the dedicated Techs and LPNs who work tirelessly and under often-difficult conditions to care for their patients and their community, stop ignoring their concerns for patient safety, and stop making illegal and retaliatory changes to their working conditions,” Dahn said.
The hospital has so far refused to meet again before the scheduled strike, despite the union’s repeated offers to do so. A mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is involved with the negotiations.
Future bargaining sessions are currently scheduled for the first two Thursdays of April - April 2 and 9 - and the last Friday of the month – April 24.
“We’re hoping that we can really sit down and put our heads together between us and management, and get what needs to be done done. I wish we could get this taken care of as fast as possible – the safety of the patients is directly related to the under-staffing we feel is occurring,” Richards said earlier this month.
Local News | KP NewsDesk March 27, 2015
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By jorn jensen, March 27, 2015 @ 8:26 AM
Wonder if commissioners Rich Fink and Bob Bower will be there? That sure looks good to any prospective business or industry considering locating here - county ‘leaders’ on a picket line. Yush!
By worthingtonman, March 29, 2015 @ 7:28 PM
HAAAAA
I knew it was about money. Raises…..more retirement money….. Still waiting for answers about the people who have died due to the staffing levels. As someone putting a statement out to a newspaper, you don’t get to just say it. Where is the reporting on these people who havedied due to staffing levels at the hospital. This is all about money, the union trying to declare staffing levels and writing their own schedules. Welcome to the real world to all you in dream land. The hospital is in charge. You are employees who sadly thought that your compensation and scheduling was just fine when you accepted the job. Now you want to strike to try to wrestle control from management. You are out of your minds.
By wakeup, March 30, 2015 @ 5:29 AM
Unions can be good, but members have to realize if the “demands” become to unrealistic company’s will be forced to make the decision to close its doors. If employment conditions are so bad at one job and the grass is greener at another job, people are free to seek employment at said job. The hospital is no different than PPG or Eljer, push it too far and they will just pull out. If the unions want to make sure working conditions and salary are held to a national average, they should have a seat at the table. However if they cross the line to start dictating how a business should be managed and treat it’s clients it’s time for them to get out of the Union business and get into the management business with their own company.
By sickofpayingforit, March 30, 2015 @ 4:34 PM
Worthingtonman-
I agree with mostly all of that. When whoever tried to troll my original post on this issue, I knew it was $$$$$$$ the whole time……..
Nobody is going on strike for work conditions anymore. There is no need. There are a PLETHORA of laws in place to pretty much abolish substandard working conditions and I have to believe that the medical profession is somehow, someway, monitored. No?
By jorn jensen, March 30, 2015 @ 10:04 PM
well-stated, wakeup. Well-stated. You ‘get it’, as does worthingtonman and sickofpayingforit. Excellent posts, all of you.