Nurses and medical technicians at Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Drexel Hill, Pa., picketed Tuesday for a new contract with the hospital's for-profit owner, Los-Angeles-based Prospect Medical Holdings, according to a Delaware County Daily Times report.
The workers have been without a contract since joining the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals last January, and have raised concerns about staffing. Prospect acquired Springfield, Pa.-based Crozer-Keystone Health System, of which DCMH is a part, in July.
Months later, Angela Neopolitano, RN, president of the hospital's PASNAP local, which includes approximately 300 members, said they want to get a contract done, according to the report.
"We need to get a move on. That's our biggest thing. We want to get a move on, we want to get this done. We want to make sure our staffing is safe, and retain the nurses that we have, and the techs," she said.
In response to the picket, hospital spokeswoman Mary Wascavage offered the following statement to the Delaware County Daily Times:
"We have been bargaining in good faith with union representatives over the last few months to establish our first contract with PASNAP. We are engaged in a thoughtful and sincere negotiating process. We have already reached significant agreements during these negotiations and we look forward to signing a contract with PASNAP.
"It's important to note that our direct care staffing levels rank above average for hospitals nationwide. Nursing leadership checks staffing levels at least three times a day, each and every day, to ensure appropriate staffing.
"We value our relationship with all of our employees and we are committed to resolving the contract negotiations to the benefit of all parties. While we recognize the union's right to conduct informational picketing, we remain focused on our primary mission —providing safe, high-quality care to our patients — just as we do every day."