WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Geisinger nurses continue their plea for a fair contract as they end day three of a five-day strike.
On Wednesday night, members of the nurses union were joined by community members in downtown wilkes-barre to shine a light on what they claim is a major concern in their healthcare system.
Dozens of Geisinger nurses left the picket lines and rallied on Public Square Wednesday evening.
Their main message on day three of their strike was all about shedding light on what they call a crisis.
In the heart of Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square were the words “Value Nurses” spelled out with candle lights.
It was the center of a rally on day three of a historic Geisinger Nursing Strike.
“There’s a problem and we need to address it,” said Geisinger Wyoming Valley Registered Nurse James Taylor.
Taylor is talking about what he and hundreds of other nurses claim to be a big concern in their healthcare system: Understaffing.
The nurses union says there are 300 unfilled nursing positions.
Those on the picket line say there should be more of a focus on hiring local employees, rather than travel nurses.
“Geisinger has the money to pay these travel nurses and every open position feels like a policy failure. It feels like a policy choice,” Taylor continued.
In its latest statement to 28/22 News, a Geisinger spokesperson says the number of open registered nursing positions provided by the SEIU is not accurate.
The number of open registered nursing positions provided by the SEIU is not accurate. We are constantly recruiting nurses and other clinicians to join Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center and its campuses. In fact, we have 62 registered nurses that have accepted offers and will be joining us later this year, in part because of our competitive compensation and benefits. We also continue to recruit and train nurses who will care for our community for years to come through the Geisinger School of Nursing and employee benefit programs like the Nursing Scholars Program, which awards financial support to employees who want to pursue nursing or nursing support roles.
Geisinger Media Relations Specialist Matt Mattei
“It’s lethal to patients to be understaffed especially as critically understaffed as we have been in the past and as we are now,” Taylor added.
“It’s important that you pay the staff nurses a fair wage. It’s unconscionable to think they are out here underpaying the people who are there every day,” Alex Zaykowski, a supporter said.
Zaykowski and Taylor agree if these nurses are taken care of, everyone will benefit.
“Scranton/Wilkes-Barre deserves better and Geisinger could do better,” Taylor said.
Nurses at Wednesday’s rally tell 28/22 News they look to be back at the bargaining table next week.
Geisinger says it’s committed to good-faith bargaining to reach a mutually agreeable contract.
The strike will continue through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.