WPIC nurses to strike if raises don’t come

With cheers like “We are the union: mighty, mighty union” and “Hey, hey, what do you say?… With cheers like “We are the union: mighty, mighty union” and “Hey, hey, what do you say? Union workers are here to stay,” nurses at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic picketed for an increase in wages.

“We’re behind all the other hospitals,” said Lois Cusick, president of the local efforts at WPIC, speaking on behalf of the picketing nurses.

“The psychiatric nurses get paid 10 percent less than all the other hospitals’ [nurses],” Cusick added, explaining that the nurses would settle for a 4 percent increase and a step in the pay scale.

The nurses held signs asking for drivers to honk in support on O’Hara Street, near DeSoto Street. They picketed at a number of locations on Pitt’s campus during the weekend.

Cusick hopes to get back to the negotiating table soon, but if efforts fail, the nurses are prepared to go on a long-term strike.

“They’re not giving us 4 percent because they want to make an example of us, because we are organized, and they want nothing to do with unions. They put less value on mental health care than anything else,” Cusick said.

Cusick added that non-union workers and managers were recently given a 4 percent raise.

According to Cusick, negotiations are to resume at 7 a.m. today.

Officials at WPIC and at UPMC could not be reached for comment.