Wilkes-Barre hospital employees taking stand for staff, wages

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Local hospital employees are taking a stand when it comes to their staff and wages.

The unionized workers are less than a month away from voting to strike.

28/22 News Reporter Emily Allegrucci was at a meeting they held Thursday evening.

Geisinger Wyoming Valley’s Unionized Technical Employees met Thursday evening to discuss what changes need to be made at the hospital.

Overall, they’re looking for more help, better pay, and to avoid an impending strike.

“We are joining a national wave of healthcare workers to demand respect for the work that we do for this community,” said Geisinger Wyoming Valley Employee Kathy Uher.

In just two weeks, SEIU Unionized Technical Employees from Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospital will vote on whether or not to strike.

On Thursday, the employees held a press conference to share their needs.

“It’s time to invest in the hardworking men and women who keep the hospital open,” said Geisinger Wyoming Valley MRI Technologist Debbie Watson.

The vote to strike follows the hospital being consolidated by Kaiser Permanente.

Workers tell me the health-care giant’s plan was to expand the hospital, but had no solid plans to make it happen.

“We just want to make sure that they have their best interest when it comes to local healthcare. With forming the union, we’re really just trying to keep that small, community healthcare going,” said Michael Montanez, a Geisinger Wyoming Valley Emergency Room Technician.

As conditions in the hospital continue to change, many long-time employees have made the decision to leave.

This leaves the hospital with what employees are calling an extreme staffing shortage, leading to stress and burnout.

“ERs are getting more packed. Doctor’s offices are taking less patients, urgent cares aren’t open as long since COVID. Wait times can go up to 12, 14 hours,” Montanez explained.

Workers are asking for better pay to retain staff.

“We need better wages because our turnover rates are so high. We keep losing good people to competitors and that won’t happen if we just get paid what we deserve,” Watson stated.

Our SEIU-represented colleagues play a critical role in the delivery of care at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center. We value their commitment to our community, and we respect their rights as union members. We are committed to continued good-faith bargaining to reach a mutually agreeable labor contract.

Geisinger

A mutual and fair contract is exactly what the employees say they’re looking for.

The vote to strike will happen on May 1 if a contract agreement is not reached before that date.

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