In the last few months, our union family has grown and we’ve made great progress in reaching new contracts and agreements with our partner facilities all over the state.
In January, Pottstown Memorial Medical Center’s Dietary Department ratified a new contract with a 100% yes vote. Members successfully negotiated for yearly raises over the life of the contract, increased trainer pay and uniform allowance and even locked in agreed-upon scheduling best practices.
In February, workers at Tyler Memorial Hospital voted in the union at their hospital in the midst of a blizzard. This incredible group of workers take a lot of pride in their community and their hospital, many working their whole lives at Tyler making far less than they could elsewhere. One nurse of 36 years explained why they wanted to organize with SEIU Healthcare PA — “We were a poor hospital; we didn’t have a lot and that was ok. We didn’t get raises for four years… now we have a lot less.”
In February, 92 technical workers at Easton Hospital and 200 RNs and Service & Tech healthcare workers from First Hospital of Wyoming Valley voted to join SEIU Healthcare PA for a greater voice in their jobs and patient care at their respective facilities.
In March, members at Oakmont Center for Nursing & Rehab (formerly GLC Oakmont) reached a strong successor agreement with their new owners. After the sudden sale of their nursing home, workers were able to maintain excellent healthcare and their involvement in our Training and Education Fund. Quality jobs and the opportunity for further education ensures Oakmont will continue to have a quality workforce to care for seniors in their community.
Members at Lackawanna Health and Rehab Center recently ratified a new three-year contract. They were able to achieve wage increases and better healthcare, which will help the home retain a quality workforce to care for residents.
Members at Chicora Medical Center in Butler County ratified a new contract just last week that provides fair raises and mitigates rising healthcare costs by implementing a wellness program and offering a lower deductible. It’s a win-win, because residents receive higher quality care when healthcare workers are able to stay healthy themselves.
Members at Hampton House in Wilkes-Barre stood united for a fair contract to maintain quality jobs in their community. Healthcare workers at the nursing home were able to ratify a new contract last week that includes fair wages increases and no concessions, ensuring the home can retain a strong workforce to provide care for their residents.
Join us in congratulating our brothers and sisters on their new contracts and welcoming our new members to the fold!