Overview
- The union said 96% of nurses who voted in person on Monday, June 15, approved giving their bargaining committee the authority to call a strike if talks fail.
- Nurses cited unsafe staffing levels, shortages of resources, and threats to benefits such as paid time off and pensions as the main reasons for the authorization.
- The authorization does not start a strike immediately; union leaders must issue a 10-day notice under federal labor law before any walkout can begin.
- Jefferson Health called the vote worrying for patient care and said a strike is not imminent, while local elected officials voiced public support for the nurses' demands.
- Bargaining sessions are scheduled this week and the authorization strengthens the union’s leverage; a strike could disrupt services and compound pressure from planned pediatric clinic closures and upcoming city events.