A union representing technicians and licensed practical nurses at Kittanning, Pa.-based ACMH Hospital is seeking help from local residents as they try to reach an agreement with the hospital, according to a TribLive report.
The Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses & Allied Professionals sent a mass-mailing outlining its position to homes in Armstrong, Butler, Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, according to the report.
The mailer, which was sent out after a canceled bargaining session, alleges that ACMH canceled a June 25 bargaining session to retaliate for union activities, and asks residents to call hospital CEO John Lewis and tell him to "return to the negotiation table and agree to safer staffing," according to the report. Information in the mailer also included that the National Labor Relations Board has found merit in a complaint the union made against the hospital.
The hospital was unavailable for comment.
Members of the union went on strike March 31, and the union held an informational picket earlier that month.
In May, the National Labor Relations Board determined that there was merit in the union's complaint that the hospital had not allowed its technicians and licensed practical nurses who are union members to make their own schedule. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Aug. 4, 2015.
According to the report, the union filed another charge against the hospital in June related to wages and shifts.
Negotiations are scheduled to continue July 25.
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