More than 1,000 nurses throughout the sprawling UPMC network have signed an open letter to the health care giant’s executives calling for better staffing, pay raises to encourage experienced nurses to stay on the job and additional paid time off for nurses.
The petition comes as Pennsylvania is expected to see a shortfall of more than 20,000 nurses by 2026, according to SEIU Healthcare. The union, which is publicizing the letter campaign, said it has been signed by both unionized and non-unionized nurses.