HERSHEY, PA — More than 2,200 registered nurses have ratified a new, three-year union contract with Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. The agreement includes significant wage increases and benefit enhancements.
“We’re proud to work at a hospital that doesn’t only recognize us as heroes, but truly invests in high-quality nursing care and respects the leadership of bedside nurses,” said Maureen Casey, a nurse in the hospital’s peri-anesthesia department and president of the nurses’ union. “This contract reinforces the strong relationship we have with Penn State Health and will ensure that nurses will look to Hershey as the best place to practice our profession.”
Contract Highlights:
- Included innovative strategies that address retention and recruitment to positively position the Medical Center for the future;
- Extended employee benefit changes related to parental leave and additional benefits for part-time staff; and
- A significant average wage increase over the life of the contract for most nurses.
“In a year that has presented many challenges, this agreement recognizes the considerable contributions of our nurses, who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic,” said Hershey Medical Center Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Judy Himes. “We have maintained our position as a leader in the market with respect to pay and benefits and demonstrated our unwavering commitment to our SEIU-represented employees.”
The new agreement is effective April 22, 2021, and remains in effect until March 31, 2024.