Nurses at Heritage Valley Beaver kicked off contract negotiations on May 9th and didn’t stop at the bargaining table.
The nurses have fought hard year after year to build and win union contracts that helped set nurse-to-patient ratio standards for hospitals across the state, but without a way to enforce those numbers at other hospitals, it’s clear more needs to be done to protect patients in Pennsylvania.
So HVB nurses decided to do more. Over a dozen of the nurses headed to Representative Josh Kails’ office. HVB Chapter President Molly Romigh, RN, explained the impact of patient ratios before and after they formed their union and how detrimental staffing issues are to patient care.
The chapter secretary and a chapter delegate spoke about working with all nurses in PA to ensure nurse-to-patient ratios (Safe Patient Limits) are the law in the state. With over 1500 nurses in Rep. Kalis’ district, the RNs requested his support for the bill.
That  meeting went so well 11 of the Nurses decided to visit Congressman Conor Lamb’s office next. The RNs talked to the office staff (the Congressman was not in) about the importance of patient ratios. They also let the office know that Heritage Valley Beaver RNs are going into contract negotiations, and they hoped Congressman Lamb would support them as needed, since he has stated he is an advocate for union rights.
Heritage Valley Beaver RNs set a great example of how nurses are taking their advocacy outside the walls of their facilities and to our elected leaders!