More than 1,200 nurses at Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital in North Philadelphia have voted to authorize a strike as their negotiations with management continue for a new contract, their union announced on Monday. The union’s members voted 96% in favor of authorizing a strike, which gi ves leaders the ability to initiate one, but does not mean that a strike is imminent. In a press release, the union’s leaders said they have been working without a contract since April and are asking for improvements in nurse staffing and security, as well as a limit to cuts to benefits and departments. “We have a healing mission,” said PASNAP President Maureen May. “We want to heal our patients. We want to heal our community. And we want to be a part of healing a system that doesn’t always have our backs. That’s why we are prepared to take action—not because we want conflict, but because our patients and caregivers deserve better.”  NBC10 has reached out to Jefferson Health for comment and is waiting to hear back. ...read more read less