Geisinger CMC healthcare workers vote to authorize strike

More than 900 health care workers at Geisinger Community Medical Center voted Wednesday to authorize a strike, according to the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals. Six weeks after staging a large informational picket outside the hospital at 1800 Mulberry St. in Scranton, 940 frontline health care workers spanning multiple job classifications at GCMC voted to authorize their bargaining committees to call one-day strikes if necessary, according to PASNAP. In total, 99% voted yes, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified registered nurse anesthetists, technicians, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers and chaplains, according to PASNAP.  PASNAP said issues include understaffing, a lack of in-hospital protections and safety, and disrespect toward caregivers.