“What do we want? Quality Care! When do we want it? Now!”
Hundreds of Chambersburg Hospital workers packed the town square on June 27th to fight for quality care and quality jobs in their community.
Over 1300 union workers at the hospital are fighting for a fair contract from Summit Health. The not for profit organization made $44 million in excess revenue last year. Despite that, they are asking for changes to benefits that will cost each employee thousands of dollars, and could jeopardize quality care.
“If Summit Health will not provide good jobs, the community stands to lose the quality nurses and healthcare workers Chambersburg depends on,” said Monica Burkholder, Physical Medicine Aide, who has been with the hospital for 30 years. “This is the only hospital in the area. Our community deserves the best.”
“I am proud of the success of our hospital,” said Tracy Braithwaite, Respiratory Therapist. “It should put us in a position to move forward, continuing to care for our patients with the experienced nurses and other healthcare workers Chambersburg has always counted on. We want to work with Summit Health to make sure this happens.”
Hospital workers were joined by community members and union sisters and brothers from the Letter Carriers, the PA AFL-CIO, and the Teamsters, who grilled hot dogs and hamburgers for the crowd. The community rally was one of the largest union rallies in Chambersburg in decades.