Union members and supporters of the union at ACMH Hospital are on strike and picketing around the hospital this week. They said they hope to begin negotiations for a preferred labor agreement. SUBMITTED PHOTO

After months of stalled negotiations on a labor agreement contract, 220 nurses at ACMH Hospital in Kittanning walked out Sunday morning with picket signs for the first of their planned five-day strike.

Cassie Wood, president of the ACMH Nurses United union, said employees have been in negotiations for a contract since July, when the last one expired. Additionally, Wood said the hospital has lost more than 40 nurses in the past year, and the staffing shortages have put a strain on the remaining nurses.

The union authorized the strike Jan. 26 in a vote of 80% approval, and Wood said the nurses are holding out for a contract that prioritizes nurse retention and patient care.

“Each department has less than half the staff we had two years ago,” Wood said Monday. “It costs the hospital nothing to put job safety in the contract, but they have not done that. There is a lot that is really uneasy and not valued and not heard.”

A portion of this story is shared with you as a digital media exclusive. To read the full story and support our local, independent newsroom, please subscribe at butlereagle.com.