Washington Hospital workers voted Monday by over 97% to authorize a strike, if necessary, to make UPMC invest in quality care and good jobs for their local community. When UPMC executives took over Washington in June of last year, they vowed to “invest a minimum of $300 million” and now workers want them to keep their word. The union contract for the 300 hospital workers expired January 31st and the union says UPMC’s latest proposals include raises that do not even keep up with inflation, along with a wide range of deep cuts. The Washington workers include many job titles that provide hands-on care and keep the hospital running, such as certified surgical technicians, care partners, physical therapy assistants, carpenters, licensed maintenance workers, dietary aides, medical records clerks, housekeepers, unit secretaries, master plumbers, cooks, engineers, patient transporters and others. Union officials say they are far apart on wages and health care benefits, but they do have two more bargaining sessions this week and they are still hopeful they can avoid a walkout. Should a strike occur, the union says it will give ten days notice before walking off their jobs.