Christopher Deluzio

Around a half dozen nurses from UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital sought support from U.S. Reps. Ro Khanna and Chris Deluzio at a Thursday afternoon meeting as contract negotiations continue between UPMC and hospital staff.

Nurses spoke out about what they say are persistent staff shortages and UPMC’s perceived slow-rolling of contract negotiations. The discussion took place at the union hall of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 5 in Pittsburgh’s South Side.

Khanna, a California Democrat raised in Bucks County, appeared at the meeting as part of his ongoing tour of Pennsylvania touting “economic patriotism.” The outspoken congressman previously said he’s considering a run for president in 2028.

In March, Magee nurses presented their staffing proposals to UPMC, including standards established by the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, which includes dedicating one nurse for every patient in active labor. Allegheny County Council recently endorsed the plan.

That comes after around 900 nurses and advanced practitioners at Magee-Womens — Southwestern Pennsylvania’s largest labor and delivery center — voted to join the SEIU Healthcare PA union last August and September.

In a statement, a UPMC spokesperson said, “Magee and (University of Pittsburgh Physicians) continue to bargain in good faith with the SEIU in pursuit of fair contracts for our represented team members and patients.”

Nearly a year later without a contract, Adrienne Andrews, a Magee nurse who serves as part of the union bargaining committee, said she still regularly treats 5 to 6 pregnant patients at a time.

“If we don’t feel supported, we can’t give patients what they deserve,” said Marchel Robinson, a high-risk postpartum nurse at the hospital.

Robinson said she occasionally has to serve four at-risk mothers and their children at once.

Khanna congratulated the nurses on their successful union vote last year, though he did not seem familiar with the details of the negotiations or the local hospital system.

His home state of California already has mandated nurse-to-patient staffing ratios.

Khanna compared the situation to an ongoing strike among nearly 1,000 workers at Mt. Nittany Medical Center in Centre County, where he appeared Wednesday, and maligned what he called the increasing corporatization of hospitals in the country.

“You really are being seen,” Khanna told the nurses.

But it’s unclear what practical support the congressmen may offer.

Deluzio, (D-Fox Chapel), said he’ll lean on UPMC to move ahead with contract negotiations and could try to set up a meeting with the nonprofit’s leadership.

“Bargain in good faith with these workers,” he said.

Khanna said he plans to express his support for the nurses on social media and possibly pen a letter to UPMC with Deluzio.

The next leg of his tour will take him to Johnstown on Friday.