Dozens of St. Elizabeth staff members marched outside the hospital last Thursday holding an informational picket while their union negotiates for more benefits in their contract.

It seems this is becoming nearly a bi-annual affair, as nurses also picketed in 2022 and 2019.

And while progress was made when contracts were finalized in those years, union leadership feels St. Elizabeth always falls behind other Virginia Franciscan Mason hospitals in terms of pay and benefits, which leads to an inability to find and retain nurses and causes safety issues for staff and patients.

“… [H]ere we are again, falling behind,” said acute care RN Kelly Patton, who is also on the SEIU 1199 NW union bargaining team. “Just when we get where we’re good, and we can be competitive and get the experienced nu

See Full Page