The strike was organized by the Service Employees International Union Healthcare Pennsylvania, which represents a variety of hospital workers, including nursing assistants, emergency room technicians, secretaries, food workers and cleaners, according to the report.
The union is seeking 2 percent annual pay increases for Chestnut Hill Hospital employees, who are paid less than their counterparts at other Philadelphia hospitals, said Gary Canada, vice president of the Chestnut Hill faction of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania and a certified nursing assistant at the hospital. According to the report, Mr. Canada said the union has been negotiating with hospital management over wages for about two months.
The strike began at 7 a.m. Saturday and lasted until 7 a.m. Sunday. Employees returned to work after it was over, according to the report.
Chestnut Hill Hospital spokesperson Catherine Brzozowski said in an emailed statement that the hospital “is continuing to provide high-quality care for patients” during the strike, according to the report. She added 74 percent of the strikers’ shifts “have been covered by other SEIU members who have chosen to work. Emergency, inpatient and surgery services are available, and all outpatient and diagnostic procedures are taking place as planned; all public entrances remain open.”
Regarding the wage negotiations, Ms. Brzozowski said the hospital is “committed to the collective bargaining process and to maintaining a positive relationship with our employees and their bargaining agents,” according to the report. A federal mediator is aiding further negotiations with the union.
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