Nurses picketed outside two Philadelphia hospitals Jan. 3 to protest what they called unfair labor contracts, according to WPVI-TV, an ABC-affiliated television station in Philadelphia.
The nurses, who are represented by the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals, are from Hahnemann University Hospital and St. Christopher's Hospital for Children.
"The reason we are here — there is only one reason — it is for our patients. That is why we are here. We want to give excellent care," Sue Swift, nurse and president of the nurse's union at St. Christopher's, told WPVI.
The union is negotiating with the hospitals' owner, El Segundo, Calif.-based American Academic Health System, on behalf of about 1,400 nurses. One key bargaining issue for nurses is reportedly staffing levels. They argue more workers are needed.
Hahnemann University Hospital told WPVI it continues to negotiate in good faith and said "the informational picketing is not impacting patient care in any way."
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