Members of the union representing Indiana Regional Medical Center nurses will hold an “informational picket” at various times tomorrow.
A statement from the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals says the pickets will be held from 6:30 to 8 AM, 11 AM to 1 PM, and 3-5 PM outside the hospital building, with a rally to be held at noon. The union represents 270 registered nurses at the facility, who say they have been working without a contract for seven years. The PASNAP says the hospital should be employing around 400 nurses and claim the hospital has refused to agree to allow nurses to grieve or to arbitrate any part of the contract regarding staffing levels. Those taking part in tomorrow’s picket are those who will be on break or have a day off tomorrow and will not affect the day’s staffing levels.
IRMC officials say the hospital will remain open for patient care, and all medical center operations will continue as usual tomorrow. The statement also reads that the facility remains dedicated and committed to the nurses, and they have continued to bargain in good faith with the union. Officials say there have been 22 negotiating sessions over the past year, with the most recent session held last Friday.
