Health care workers from AFSCME 1199 voted unanimously Wednesday to authorize union leaders to call a strike if a contract settlement can't be reached by July 1.
Members met and rallied at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Wednesday before demonstrating outside Thomas Jefferson University Hospital on 11th Street between Chestnut and Walnut.
The union, which represents nurses aides, food service workers and custodians among others, is engaged in contract negotiations with hospitals including Jefferson, Hahnemann Hospital, Temple, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Henry Nicholas, president of the union's local chapter, said employers are looking to impose cuts to hourly wages between $5 and $7 per hour against certain employees. Other members said they were unhappy with proposed benefit packages and pension programs.
