NOTE: Only after a significant majority have decided to form a union to negotiate with Magee, will we meet to decide together how to deliver this public demand to corporate.
To: UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital and UPP
From: Magee Nurses and Advanced Practitioners United
We, Magee Nurses and Advanced Practitioners United, are devoted to our hospital and our patients. From obstetrics to surgical to medical-surgical care, in inpatient and outpatient settings, at all levels of experience, we are committed to our mission of “providing superior healthcare to the families of Western Pennsylvania.” That’s why we have decided to form a union to be able to negotiate directly with you over our working conditions and decisions that impact patient care.
We started discussing a union over a year ago, and you asked for the chance to show us how you’d improve things without having to negotiate with us; you said we would work together.We have seen your vision for our future and we have decided it is lacking; it's time you give us a chance to work with you in negotiations instead.
Right now, nearly all decisions about our hospital and our patients are made by healthcare and insurance executives, in corporate offices, far from the bedside. We look forward to working directly with our excellent administration team at Magee to make improvements.
We call on you to respect the decision the clear majority of us have made and recognize our union so we can begin preparations — including circulating bargaining surveys and electing our bargaining team — to negotiate with your representatives.
We are united for:
- Safe and evidence-based staffing ratios in line with national standards of care that account for acuity and support staff.
- Professional compensation that attracts new nurses and also rewards experience and excellence.
- Benefits that nurses can rely on: Affordable health insurance, retirement plans sufficient to let us retire, and improved parental leave.
- Flexible and healthy schedules designed by nurses, including reduced unwanted rotating shifts, accessible vacation time, and uninterrupted lunch breaks.
- A voice in decision making and consistent input into day to day policies and changes.
We propose a meeting with representatives of our respective parties within one week of receipt of this letter to agree upon a neutral third party to verify the signatures on this petition, and to begin to work out a framework for negotiations.
If we do not hear from you within 1 business day, we will be forced to decide on a different course of action.
I authorize an elected nurse bargaining team and SEIU HCPA to represent me in collective bargaining with my employer for the purpose of negotiating wages, benefits and other working conditions.