The Keystone Research Center issued the following statement on Friday, June 5, 2015:
The Keystone Research Center congratulates the 1,200 housekeepers, nurse aides, dietary workers, phlebotomists and other service and technical workers of Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, who on Wednesday, June 3, 2015, became the newest members of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s caregivers -- who work in hospitals, nursing homes, and homecare -- are leaders in the movement to lift up service industry wages and benefits to create America’s next middle class.
Nurses at Allegheny General joined SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania in 1999 and have enjoyed a positive relationship with management resulting in truly ground-breaking quality initiatives that benefit both patients and caregivers. This strong relationship was the backdrop against which service and technical workers formed their union in an atmosphere of respect. As well as boosting the regional economy, a deepened collaboration between caregivers and managers has the potential to further improve quality and reduce health-care costs.
We applaud Allegheny Health Network management and workers alike in leading the way to better jobs and stronger and healthier communities, by embracing strategies through which business prospers in partnership with workers, rather than at their expense.