Over a hundred nurses and supporters gathered outside of Butler Memorial Hospital yesterday advocating for safer working conditions.
It was a part of an “informational picket” by the nearly 500 nurses at the hospital to ask for better safety inside healthcare settings as contract negotiations continue.
“Management had come to us with nothing but concessions. We’re not ready to talk money, as much as it is about protecting us and keeping us safe in the walls of the hospital,” Tammy May, president of the local chapter of Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals.
The current contract runs out in mid-April, but Jen Fencil who is also a nurse and the treasurer of the local PASNAP chapter, says the new proposal is disappointing.
“This is the sixth contract that I have been with Butler Memorial Hospital negotiating, and this is the worst concessions they have ever proposed to us. We cannot accept their initial proposal. We cannot accept any concessions. The safety of our staff and patients is of utmost importance and we’ve been ignored for far too long,” Fencil said.
She also said the latest proposal from the hospital would have the nurses lose pay.
“It’s to the negative. They want us to give up as much as we can,” Fencil added.
For safety, workers are asking for better security staffing, metal detectors, and visitor screening.
“The safety and security of our patients, staff and visitors are our highest priorities. We are deeply committed to maintaining an environment where everyone feels safe and valued and welcome input from PASNAP and all employees,” hospital officials said in a statement.
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