PA has 6,330 empty positions for mental health professionals, the 3rd worst in the nation. The shortfall has been largely caused by the dangerous nature of the work, the stigmatization & devaluing of mental healthcare, & under compensation of behavioral health professionals.

UPMC has the resources to be a leader in addressing the mental health crisis, with $27 billion in revenue and $8 billion in cash and investments.

It's time for UPMC to invest in their nurses, their patients and the community they are meant to serve. Sign the petition at SupportWesternPsychNurses.org #SupportWesternPsychNurses

“We all deserve the lifeline Western Psych provides,” Strassburger said. “When people are turned away because of staffing problems it can start a downward spiral for those most in need of help.” triblive.com/local/upmc-wes…

DOJ just filed its statement of interest in a class action alleging an illegal UPMC monopsony (buyer monopoly) over the labor market for hospital workers in PA. Filing comes after news in Feb. that DOJ was pursuing its own investigation into UPMC.

Western Psych nurses unanimously vote to authorize strike wpxi.com/news/local/wes…

Mental care professionals at the Oakland facility will walk out if UPMC does not meet union contract proposals meant to address severe understaffing and lack of resources... pghcitypaper.com/news/western-p…

"UPMC began leasing a $50 million luxury corporate jet just months before laying off 1,000 workers and cutting nurses’ paychecks by $25,000/ year." Meher Sethi on a notorious labor monopsony in Pennsylvania, and how Antitrust Division is helping workers fight back.👇

HAPPENING NOW 🚨 UPMC Western Psychiatric nurses are holding an informational picket as they fight for a fair contract 🪧🏥 They’re calling on UPMC to do its part to address the growing mental healthcare crisis in our region by investing directly into nurses and patient care!

Join these nurses today at 4:30 outside of Western Psychiatric Hospital! facebook.com/share/cK52PyAn…

It’s no secret that UPMC has the resources to do its part in addressing this crisis. Right now, while beds are closed at Western Psych, UPMC is building a $1.5 Billion hospital across the street… triblive.com/news/health-no…

City Councilor Erika Strassburger PGH District 8 has been standing alongside these workers every step of the way. She knows how VITAL access to quality mental health care and quality nursing jobs is for our community! 💪

While UPMC buys and builds billion dollar hospitals, the services our community needs the most are struggling to stay afloat. It’s time that UPMC invests in the nurses that keep their hospitals open!

Standing with Western Psych nurses on the picket line today. Their fight for fair pay and safe working conditions is crucial to delivering the quality mental health care our community depends on. It’s long overdue for UPMC to invest in and respect these essential workers.

We all deserve the lifeline that Western Psych provides, any one of us could find ourselves in need of the services these amazing professionals offer. UPMC must ensure these nurses are properly treated and compensated.

UPMC needs to do the right thing and negotiate a fair contract with nurses at Western Psych! Proud to stand alongside nurses to advocate for fair pay, safer working conditions, and better care for patients. SEIU Healthcare PA

A rally to support nurses fighting for a fair contract at Western Psych? Count me in! Glad to be there with Rep. Jessica Benham and Rep. Emily Kinkead to support these committed members of SEIU Healthcare PA !

RNs at UPMC Western Psych just ratified a historic contract! Over the 3-year contract, the start rate for nurses with a BSN will be raised by 31%, from $31.65 to $40.25. It’s the first time RNs anywhere in UPMC have been guaranteed a start rate above $40. wpxi.com/news/local/wes…

WOW... Western Psych nurses just negotiated an average raise of over 31% after months of negotiations! This is a groundbreaking investment, and the first time nurses anywhere at UPMC will be guaranteed a minimum start rate of $40 🙌🙌🙌