Hundreds of Appalachian nurses go on strike

A group of hundreds of nurses across Appalachian regions in Kentucky and West Virginia went on strike yesterday after weeks of contract negotiations with an area hospital chain failed. At least 600 RNs have begun picketing outside Appalachian Regional Healthcare hospitals, hoping to push through demands for improved benefits and improved nurse/patient ratios. 

In the mean time, some of the hospitals have already begun using temporary replacement nurses and LPNs, backed up by some union nurses who chose not to participate in the walkout. The union represents a total of about 800 nurses across ARH's nine facilities, which employ a total of 4,400 medical professionals.

To find out more about the strike:
- read this Associated Press item

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