Lauren DeMeno thinks of herself as fortunate to work at Allegheny Valley Hospital.
The Harrison mother has three daughters and a house that really needs repairs, but she lives close to the hospital and can walk to work.
DeMeno, a 35-year-old patient care technician in the hospital's emergency room in Harrison, said that she wouldn't be in trouble like many others at Allegheny Valley if her car broke down.
Despite earning just over $20 per hour on the night shift, DeMeno still struggles to pay for her children's healthcare and can't afford home repairs.
She can't understand how those who earn less than her manage to make ends meet.
On Tuesday, DeMeno, along with about 40 other unionized service and clerical workers from across the Pittsburgh region, demanded that Allegheny Health Network, Frick Hospital in Mount Pleasant, and Washington Hospital in Washington County raise their minimum wages to $20 per hour.
SEIU Healthcare PA, the labor union representing the workers, mentioned that about 1,800 unionized workers from the four hospitals will start contract negotiations this summer.
SEIU Healthcare officials stated that the contract for Allegheny General Hospital healthcare technicians expired earlier this year, and the agreements for the rest of the bargaining units will expire at different times over the next nine months.
DeMeno expressed her hopes for a future where she can fix up her home and take her daughters on vacation during the rally at Community House Church on Pittsburgh's North Side. She added that it's even harder for some of her coworkers, as no one can live off $16 per hour, especially if they want to have a family.
Armand Kassan, a patient tech at Allegheny General Hospital, mentioned that he is under a lot of pressure by being responsible for about 20 to 30 patients during his shift.
Kassan emphasized the need for more staff in order to carry out their duties, and he believes that increasing the pay to $20 per hour is the way to achieve this.
Highmark Health, which operates Allegheny Health Network, stated in February its plan to raise its hourly minimum wage by $2 to $18.
The boost, according to Highmark officials, should help tackle the ongoing staffing shortages and is expected to be implemented by the end of the year.
Dan Laurent, a spokesman for Allegheny Health Network, highlighted that the hospital group will become the first in the area to pay an hourly minimum wage of up to $18, and promoted the pay scale as "among the most competitive in the region."
There was no immediate response from Washington Hospital to a request for comment.
A spokesperson for Excela Health, which runs Frick Hospital, declined to comment.
Several Democratic politicians attended the rally to show their support for the workers ahead of the contract negotiations.
U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, was joined by state Reps. Aerion Abney, D-Hill District, and Nick Pisciottano, D-West Mifflin.
Lee mentioned that since the healthcare industry dominates the Pittsburgh-area economy, it is only fair that its workers benefit from the industry's growth.
She stated that anything below $20 per hour is not sustainable for workers.
Lee stated that we need to make sure these employees can afford childcare and cover their own healthcare costs. He added that they will have support during the negotiation process.
