UPMC Nurses Are Leading One of Pennsylvania’s Biggest Unionization Efforts in a Decade
Image Sources: 90.5 WESA/SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania
Nearly 1,000 registered nurses and advanced practice providers at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh are continuing their push toward unionization, marking one of Pennsylvania’s most significant nurse organizing efforts in a decade. Supported by SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, these nurses cite overwhelming concerns about unsafe staffing, burnout, and working conditions as key reasons behind their campaign.
In May 2025, the nursing staff formally requested a union election, hoping to secure a stronger voice in advocating for safer nurse-to-patient ratios and better workplace protections. However, the process has faced repeated delays. Disputes between UPMC management and the union—particularly around which employees are eligible to vote—have led to a review by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), with the final election date still pending.
Pennsylvania lawmakers and community leaders have called on UPMC to allow a fair and timely vote, emphasizing the importance of frontline nurses in shaping workplace standards and patient care. As of August 1, 2025, no union election date has been set and the outcome remains undecided. The situation continues to draw attention from nursing professionals and patient advocates both within the state and nationwide, reflecting larger trends in healthcare labor organizing.
UPMC’s Pushback and Nurses’ Push Forward
It’s reported that UPMC management isn’t thrilled about the unionization effort. A spokesperson for UPMC stated that the health system “values direct relationships with employees” and believes “a union is unnecessary.” But some nurses aren’t buying it. During a May rally, they shared stories of working consecutive shifts, caring for too many patients at once, and feeling like they’re stuck in a never-ending cycle of exhaustion. One nurse perhaps summed it up perfectly, saying, “This isn’t just about us. It’s about creating an environment where we can provide the care our patients deserve.”
In January 2024, UPMC reduced wages for nurses participating in its internal travel nurse program, decreasing hourly pay from $85 to $72 for nearly 700 staff members across the health system. The decision, attributed by UPMC to shifting industry trends and a decline in pandemic-era demand, sparked significant backlash from affected nurses, many of whom expressed concerns about the suddenness and fairness of the pay reduction. The wage adjustment and nurses' reactions were widely reported by regional and healthcare news outlets.
What This Means for Patients and Nurses
If you’re wondering how unionization might impact patient care, here’s some food for thought: Hospitals with unionized nursing workforces tend to have lower rates of hospital-acquired infections, patient falls, and medication errors, according to research. Better staffing and improved working conditions may not just help nurses—they can likely help patients, too.
The ripple effects of this union effort could be huge. If these nurses succeed, it might inspire similar movements at other UPMC facilities or even across Pennsylvania. Nurses everywhere are watching closely, knowing that change often starts with one big push.
For now, the nurses at Magee-Womens Hospital are saying they are keeping their eyes on the prize: safer staffing and better working conditions, not just for themselves but for their patients.
The Significance of Collective Action in Nursing
UPMC nurses’ efforts highlight ongoing concerns about safe staffing and workplace conditions in the nursing profession. Whether one is a new graduate or a seasoned nurse, many in the field have encountered similar challenges related to staffing and burnout. By advocating for change, these nurses aim to address issues that impact both their colleagues and the patients they care for, with the potential for broader improvements across the healthcare system.
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