The nurses, part of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals, said the strike is a protest of “bad faith bargaining” by Wilkes-Barre parent, Community Health Systems. CHS bought the hospital in May 2009.
Negotiations between the nurses and CHS have gone on for more than a year. The nurses filed an unfair labor charge against CHS claiming it failed to turn over information on the proposed health plan and therefore failed to bargain “in good faith,” according to the report.
The hospital plans to keep operating if a strike occurs.
Read the Citizens Voice report on Wilkes-Barre Hospital.
Read more coverage on Wilkes-Barre Hospital:
– Former CEO of Wilkes-Barre General Hospital Dead at Age 81
– Community Health Systems Acquires Hospital, Health System
– Pennsylvania Hospital Cuts Jobs
At Becker's 4th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, taking place November 2–5 in Chicago, more than 1,500 hospital and health system executives tackle decisions that determine whether organizations thrive or merely survive: protecting margins under cost pressure, choosing where to grow, renegotiating payer relationships, stabilizing the workforce and proving real ROI on technology. This is where leaders work through them together, face-to-face. Apply for complimentary registration now.