Over 1300 workers at Chambersburg hospital have achieved a strong new contract. The new agreement was ratified on Thursday by an overwhelming 99% majority.
The group – covering all departments of the hospital – was focused on maintaining high job standards for the community. Chambersburg hospital is one of the largest employers in the county.
“We want to keep good jobs right here in our community.” said John Reinhart, RN. “Healthcare workers should come here and make their career here with jobs that allow them to support their families. That’s how we grow our local economy.”
Key highlights of the new 4-year contract include:
- Wage increase of 8% for all workers over the length of the 4-year deal;
- Maintaining affordable healthcare coverage for families;
- Maintaining fair wages for new employees; and
- Improved education benefits so workers can further their career. .
“The education benefit is so important to keeping skilled workers right here,” continued Reinhart. “One of my coworkers started in an entry-level job and was able to go back to school twice, eventually becoming a lab technician. Our patients benefit from that kind of investment in the workforce.”
Chambersburg Hospital is one of several hospitals with workers represented by SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania that has been negotiating a new contract this summer. Thousands of nurses and hospital workers at Heritage Valley Beaver, Mount Nittany Medical Center, Chestnut Hill Hospital, and Canonsburg hospital are also uniting for contracts this month to ensure that Hospitals, as anchor employers in our communities, are providing good jobs with affordable healthcare, to set a standard for all working families .