Letter to the editor: Union nurses lead way on maternal and infant health
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Union nurses have been winning historic investments in their profession, and there’s one particular area where these gains will be especially impactful: maternal and infant health.
As co-founder and co-chair of the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus and Joint Subcommittee chair on Women and Girls of Color in the Women’s Health Caucus, I’ve been working with advocates on solutions to the growing crisis facing moms and birthing people and the children they bring into the world. Rates of severe maternal morbidity increased an average of 7% a year from 2016-22 in our state, and Black maternal mortality is twice as high as it is for whites. Black babies are dying in Pennsylvania at a rate 80% higher than the national average.
In one example of how union nurses are tackling these problems, nurses at West Penn negotiated a contract which includes nationally recognized staffing standards; the removal of wage caps to retain experienced nurses; and average raises of 24% over three years to increase recruitment. These standards will help ensure safe staffing and reduce unnecessary complications.
All hospitals in our commonwealth should follow the leadership of union nurses to address the maternal and infant mortality crisis, especially among Black moms and birthing people.
State Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes
Hill District
The writer, a Democrat, represents the 24th District.