Nearly 1,000 UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital Nurses Vote to Unionize
Image Sources: 90.5 WESA/SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania
In a landmark decision that marks the largest nurse union election in recent Pennsylvania history, nearly 1,000 nurses at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh have successfully voted to unionize with SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania.
This outcome represents a historic breakthrough after decades of organizing efforts within the UPMC system and highlights the growing momentum of nurse-led labor movements across the state.
The Vote Results
The unionization election, conducted over two days (August 19 and 23, 2025), resulted in 402 nurses voting in favor and 305 against joining the union. This decisive victory makes Magee-Womens nurses the first nurse employees of UPMC to form a union, setting an important precedent for the health system.
Key Motivations Behind the Union Drive
The nurses’ decision to unionize was primarily driven by their desire for:
- More time with patients to provide quality care
- A stronger voice in hospital decision-making that affects both patient care and working conditions
- Greater representation in workplace policies and procedures
During the campaign, nurses repeatedly cited unsafe staffing levels, burnout, and poor working conditions as central concerns. One nurse summed it up: “This isn’t just about us. It’s about creating an environment where we can provide the care our patients deserve.”
UPMC’s Pushback and Nurses’ Push Forward
UPMC management has consistently pushed back against unionization. A spokesperson stated that the health system “values direct relationships with employees” and believes “a union is unnecessary.”
Nurses, however, were not persuaded. At rallies earlier in the year, they shared stories of working consecutive shifts, caring for too many patients at once, and experiencing chronic exhaustion.
This union push also came against the backdrop of earlier tensions. In January 2024, UPMC reduced wages for nurses in its internal travel nurse program—from $85 to $72 per hour for nearly 700 staff members—sparking widespread backlash and frustration.
Significance and Impact
This union victory is being hailed as a turning point for Pittsburgh nurses and the broader profession. Registered nurse Jenna Berry described the outcome as “overjoying” for nursing staff, patients, and the community at large.
Beyond Magee-Womens, the win may serve as a catalyst for other UPMC facilities and even inspire union efforts nationwide. Research has shown that hospitals with unionized nursing workforces tend to have lower rates of infections, patient falls, and medication errors—underscoring the link between safe staffing, working conditions, and patient care.
What’s Next
Following the vote, nurses, elected officials, patients, and community members gathered to celebrate the historic outcome and called on UPMC to begin contract negotiations promptly.
Additionally, approximately 60 advanced practitioners at Magee-Womens Hospital—including nurse practitioners and midwives—are scheduled to hold their own separate union election in September.
As this movement builds, the nurses at Magee-Womens remain clear about their goals: safer staffing, better working conditions, and stronger representation—wins that could reshape nursing advocacy across Pennsylvania and beyond.
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